Great Women of Faith Series: Susanna Wesley (1669-1742)

Written by Shelsea Becker

“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.”

Susanna Wesley

Written in the 17th century, by Susanna Wesley, the mother to John and Charles Wesley.

Long before these two men started a movement that birthed the Methodist church and countless hymns, Susanna wrote these heart piercing words.

When I first read this quote, I had to ask “What does this even mean?” I need to break it down. Something within this quote resonated with me but I couldn’t quite articulate why until I took the time to understand each word.

Let’s walk through it piece by piece.

“Whatever weakens your reason”

Whatever clouds your judgement, brings confusion to your ability to think weakens your ability to make confident decisions. The Bible says that God has given us a sound mind, the mind of Christ, so whatever is not in alignment with His word creates doubt and we become like a ship tossed about at sea, weakening our reasoning. Can you identify what is causing the spiritual brain fog?

“Impairs the tenderness of your conscience”

What is it that keeps you from being spiritually sensitive? Can you hear and sense the leading of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said He would send us a Helper to lead and guide us; a counselor. What is it in our lives that dulls our ability to discern right from wrong. Is it the ways of this world that desensitizes us?  Is it hurts that are deep within that causes walls to be built instead of bridges?

“obscures your sense of God”

Do you find it hard to be in His presence or stay in His presence? What distracts you? When you are having your quiet time, can you keep your mind on Him? Do you feel like God is unreachable? The prayers are prayed but hit the ceiling. But scripture reminds us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Perhaps we have a small attention span?

“takes off your relish for spiritual things”

Now this doesn’t mean your hot dog condiment however, we can think of it like the flavoring a hot dog needs. Whatever takes your appetite for the things of God, or makes you lose the taste for the goodness of God. The word relish here means delight, enjoyment, or deep appreciation. What is keeping you from finding joy in God’s word? Jeremiah said “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart…” 

“whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind”

Whatever makes you succumb to the desires of your flesh, the right now satisfaction needs to be met. This is where the pull of the flesh gets stronger than the call of the Spirit. Even Apostle Paul admitted he had to discipline his body to keep it under control. Scriptures tell us to have self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. We are to die to self and live for Christ. 

“that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.”

So breaking it down: no matter how small or how innocent an event, situation, relationship, thought process, idea, material item, entertainment is…if it cause you to move away from God in any of these ways, it is a sin. Notice, it is us who moves, not God. For he never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

Susanna, a wife, a mother, a great woman of faith is sounding an alarm here. Take notice dear sisters! Spend some time doing a spiritual inventory. Her life was anything but easy. She bore 19 children, though only 8 survived by the time she passed at age 73. Her husband was often absent, leaving her to manage the household. Twice their home was destroyed by fire. She knew the sting of poverty, hardships, and loss but never lost her faith. She clung to Christ. Susanna’s example and words still ring true today: faith is not lived out in comfort, but in the daily walk through ups and downs.

I’m am going to rewrite her quote in a way that helps me wrap my mind around it:

Whatever clouds your judgement, desensitizes your spirit, distracts you from being in the presence of God, has stolen your hunger for Him and His word, has such a pull of your fleshly desires, that then is your sin, however small it may seem.

Once we identify the sin/s, we must go to our Father who is UNFAILING LOVE and ask for forgiveness. 

This is how we walk in freedom!

Dig deeper: Scriptures are referenced above.

Romans 14:23

2 Timothy 1:7

1 Corinthians 2:16

James 1:6

John 14:16

James 4:8

Jeremiah 29:13

Jeremiah 15:16

1 Corinthians 9:27

Galatians 5:24

Galatians 5:22-23

Hebrews 13:5

Psalms 36:5