The Beliefs of John Robert Stevens

Stevens appropriated the term violence from Matthew 11:12, where Jesus says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” He used the term to explain the spiritual intensity and determination that is required in seeking God’s Kingdom and following after Him. “What is violence? Violence is the thing that seems to strive on because there was a word from God … ”¹ Stevens also explained the term as the enthusiasm that every believer should have in following the Lord:

This violence that takes the Kingdom is a violence that comes with humility out of submission, not rebellion. The Lord says, “Jump,” and we are already in the air before we say, “How high, Lord?”²

Stevens used the example of Jacob wrestling with the angel of God as an act of this spiritual violence, for it was an intensity of faith that appropriated the promises of God and brought him into his destiny as Israel. Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26). God gives His promises, but He is waiting for those who will believe them with enough violent faith to obtain them.

One of the greatest evidences of the violence that has come is that little by little an unwavering determination comes into the people. This determination can be violent without a sound. It can be violent without a blow. It can be violent without the deep upheavals and volcanic expressions that come from our emotional nature. … And everything within spirit, soul, and body determines that we will walk before Him; we will claim His promises; we will possess everything that He has set before us.³

A few people have misunderstood Stevens’ use of the term violence, because its worldly connotation is a physical violence that goes against the principles of God. However, the spiritual use of this term differs completely from the human violence plaguing the earth (John 18:36). This violence of spirit is something that God is looking for from His people. Those who serve God must have a drive and intensity within them that overcomes the passivity, indifference, and pressures of this age.

Spiritual violence is not necessarily measured or expressed by volume in our worship or prayers to God, but is a direct expression of a true faith that is focused solely on the power of God. Stevens was also clear that this violence must be an expression of the love of God.

The violence of spirit is a purposeless explosion unless behind it there is the quality of love and faith that reaches into God and believes for one another.⁴

The term violence appears 388 times in Stevens’ written materials.