Page 77 - Biblical Ethics Course

Being alone with the Lord is not being alone. We are NEVER alone. We are never alone. The Lord is
there.

C. “One hath said, ‘As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I returned less a man’
. . . . He, therefore, that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus
‘apart from the multitude’… Shut thy door upon thee and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved. Remain
with Him in thy chamber, for thou shalt not elsewhere find so great peace. If thou hadst not gone
forth nor listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace” (Thomas a Kempis, The
Imitation of Christ, I: XX:7).

It’s about being with the creator, with Christ. That’s where our true humanity is. Most people do not
help us to understand ourselves. The Holy Spirit is what communicates with us.

D. “What we are in them (solitudes), that we are indeed, and no more. They are either the best or the
worst of our times, wherein the principle that is predominant in us will show and act itself.” (John
Owen, in Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for The Christian Life, p. 183).

What are my attitudes and actions when there is no one around? Character is what you are when you
are alone (Charles Hendricks). What do we do by ourselves? It’s a great freedom not to sin.

IV. Practical Tips

A. Find a regular place to meet with the Lord.

B. Equip your place with a Bible, hymn book journal, and pen.

C. Deal with the phone. Take it off the hook or turn on the answering machine. You have an
appointment.

D. Find some other spots to retreat to periodically. These may include a park, a spot in the woods, or a
lakeside.

Biblical Ethics involves waiting

I. Definition – the practice of temporarily ceasing to talk, and of
creating an atmosphere of quiet in order to listen to God and to
reflect on spiritual matters.

II. Biblical Support
A. 1 Kings 19:11-14
It’s a small voice.
B. Psalm 62:5-6
Wait in silence. Wait. Speaking is sometimes a sign of impatience.
C. Isaiah 30:15
D. Lamentations 3:24-28
E. Proverbs 17:27-28
F. James 1:19
slow to anger (the Word), slow to speak (the Word, think first about it), slow to anger (the Word)

III. Insights from Spiritual Leaders
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