Overcoming the Elder Brother Spirit

Week 3 - Day 17

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 14 has not one, but commandment two prodigals. The younger son left his father's house and participated in sinful, wild living. The older son stayed in the house, but he left his father's heart. His joyless, critical attitude reflected that he too was a prodigal son who had drifted into pride and tradition.

"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found'" (Luke 15:25-32).

The "elder brother spirit" can come on any of us if we are not careful. It is evidenced by: 1) being disturbed by "too much" celebration and joy in the church ; 2) being jealous over the grace that others receive; 3) having a competitive spirit; 4) focusing more on performance than on relationships; 5) being bitter at G*d (things are unfair); 6) being isolated and unwilling to participate with the "family".

Certainly we need mature fathers and mothers in our midst that can help us to not forget the ancient boundaries (Proverbs 23:10) of the faith and help us maintain proper biblical order; but elder brothers have the tendency to "major in minors" and to devalue the role that joy (making merry) has in our lives. Truly, the presence of joy is one of the main signs of spiritual maturity.

Declaration: I am growing into a true father or mother in the Spirit. My joy is increasing as I take this journey into greater spiritual maturity.