Spirit of Isolation

DeAnna Willman

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Proverb 18:1 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Eccl 4:9-12

Spirit of Isolation- this one goes against the truth of being made to be a part of family and a part of the Body of Messiah. God created each of us to be a part of the Body (locally and globally) and put us there with the command to uplift, edify, support, rely upon, teach, and even challenge each other (iron sharpens iron). He gave us gifts to be used specifically for edifying the rest of the Body. He knows we need each other to keep from going off on our own and being unaccountable to any one and becoming very vulnerable to the enemy. The majority of people who go off on their own are selfishly refusing to operate in the part God established for them, as well as keeping from the Body the gift God gave them to use for the Body. Many don’t want to be held accountable for growing and maturing in righteousness and for the areas where they sin. They choose to go against what God established and instructed whether mindfully making that choice, or by simply believing the worst about themselves or others. Even more selfish is the choice to isolate from the Body out of dislike or disagreement on side issues that simply distract from being unified in the Spirit

This is a form of rebellion, but often more subtle. Especially when the person believes that they will not be accepted, will burden everyone else, that everyone in the Body would be better off without that person among them. It can a belief or thoughts like:

“I don’t need others, I don’t want to burden others; I’m better off on my own; I can’t deal with people; being around people makes me feel too vulnerable, so I will avoid people. I don’t want to change for or accommodate for others; relationships are too much trouble and effort; no one understands me; others are better without me; I always screw up and get rejected or hurt someone; no one can tell me what to do or how to do it; they are all a bunch of hypocrites; I don’t like the praise/teaching/format/schedule/programs/leaders (or lack of) etc…so I will just not go; no one wants to get to know me, I just bring everyone down; I don’t have anything to offer or any special gifts to share; everyone there has their own friends and I don’t fit in; you don't need them; I don't want others knowing or judging what I do, etc…”

Any and every excuse you can think of to remain isolated from the Body, especially the local Body, will be whispered to you by this spirit. To listen is to believe God is a liar when He said you were meant to be a part of the Body and you have something the Body needs.

Other manifestations of this spirit include failure or refusal to form healthy relationships, especially within your family and the Body of Messiah, and failing to respond when others reach out to you. This is truly one who is in bondage. For isolation from healthy relationships will open the door for other lying spirits to come in and deepen that bondage. Depression, anxiety (fear), envy, self-rejection, victimhood, and even bitterness are easier to bring to the “house” that is isolated from others, especially from the Body. Deception is also easier to bring into the mind, heart, and life of the one isolated.

What is the answer? Becoming an active participant within the local Body of Messiah. Actively seeking out your place within the Body. It may take some searching, praying, even asking others what part God has created you to be. Not everyone is to be the head, mouth, hands, or any other obvious portion of the Body. The body also needs a tongue to discern flavors, an olfactory system to detect smells, a nervous system to allow communication between all parts of the body, a reproductive system to reproduce another healthy body; a heart, lungs, and so much more! Not everyone is a part of the Body that is obvious, but everyone is a part of the Body.

Yeshua also told us that others (in the world) will come to know whose disciples we are by the love we display for one another (within the Body). How can we love one another if we are isolated from the Body? How will others see our love expressed to one another when separated from one another? How can we know what we might be providing to bless another if we are isolated from the Body? We certainly cannot uplift the Body with our spiritual gifts while separated from the Body. How can the Body know what we need or bless us in any way if we are isolated from them? How can we live out our function as a member of the Body if separated from the Body? The thumb that separates itself from the hand will not live, and the hand will not be able to grasp without the thumb.

If you realize that this spirit has been given authority within your life, or is one that is continually whispering to you, it is up to you to repent, expel that spirit, and walk in truth and produce the fruit of repentance. Listen to Yah when He says He created you as a masterpiece (part of the Body) to do good works; when He tells you that He gave you spiritual gifts to use for the purpose of edifying the Body; when He tells you that iron needs iron in order to be sharpened. Choose to learn, believe, and operate in truth! Especially if you end up getting hurt or disappointed by some within the Body. None of us are perfect. We all need each other to confront, love, teach, support, pray for, and to help each other operate as God desires the Body to do. We need each other. No man is an island, and no part of the Body can survive on its own, let alone perform its purposed function, without the rest of the Body.

If you have been hurt by someone in the Body, take the issue to that person. If you have hurt another, go and seek reconciliation. If you have a disagreement with someone within the Body, work it out as mature members of God's Family. Sometimes we simply need to agree to disagree and focus on the love and unity rather than the disagreement. Let’s operate in healthy, loving relationships as we are intended to do rather than practice division, resentment, unforgiveness, and isolation. Obey what God instructs us to do. May Yah bless you this week as you do your part to function as a healthy member of the Body and love upon your brothers and sisters within the Family of God. Yah be praised!

Until next time…

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as it wills…For the Body does not consist of one member, but of many..But as it is, God arranged the members in the Body each one of them as He chose…” 1 Corinthians 12

“For as one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we though many, are one body in Messiah, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12

“By this all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:35