Departing Spirit Within
1 Samuel 16:14 - A Neville Goddard interpretation
Read 1 Samuel 16 in context
Scripture Focus
Biblical Context
Saul experiences a withdrawal of the LORD's presence, and his inner atmosphere becomes troubled. The verse shows that disturbance arises from interior shifts in consciousness, not solely external events.
Neville's Inner Vision
To the Goddard reader, Saul’s departure of Spirit is a story about states of consciousness rather than a record of fortune. The Spirit of the LORD is not a distant donor; it is the I AM Awareness in which Saul identifies himself. When Saul believes, I believe, that the Spirit has withdrawn, an 'evil spirit' arises as a projection of fear, judgment, and the memory of others’ opinions. The disturbance is simply the mind's resistance to the truth that I AM is the source of every movement. The moment you insist that your I AM remains resident and aware, you disarm the imagined intruder. The 'presence of God' is an inner atmosphere you choose by a constant assumption. The key practice is revision: imagine the scene from the end—the Spirit never left; I simply awaken to its continuous presence. As you feel it real, the troubling thoughts fade, and peace returns as the natural state of consciousness.
Practice This Now
Imaginative Act: Close your eyes and declare, I AM Spirit, I dwell in divine presence now. Feel that assumption as real for a minute, and notice the turmoil dissolving as you continue.
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