Wednesday, August 3, 2011

What Spirituality Looks Like

The Myth
Spirituality means _________.

a. having miraculous or exciting supernatural experiences
b. getting really into worship
c. possessing extra-charismatic spiritual gifts

The Reality
This is another thing that Christians like to make about ourselves; we have to be constantly experiencing something supernatural or emotional in order to be spiritual.
Paul outlines what spirituality looks like in his letter to the Galatians, wherein he lists the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus said you can know a tree by its fruit. In other words, if you feel really emotional during worship or have all sorts of supernatural experience, but the list above does not describe you, then you should seriously re-evaluate your level of spirituality.
True spirituality is demonstrated through a sacrificial lifestyle of obedience to God's Word and Holy Spirit.
My dad, who is a pastor, put it succinctly in a recent sermon he gave:
"Being spirit-filled (having more of the Holy Spirit) is simply letting God the Holy Spirit have more of you." - John Cowan

Why It Matters
We get too easily distracted from the things that really matter. Christians are so good at getting involved in programs and activities and trying to reach God through experiences, but when it comes to actually OBEYING God, we somehow miss the mark.
If our lifestyle is not reflecting Christ, then all of our so-called "spirituality" is worthless. God wants us to be doers, and not deceive ourselves by thinking that feeling or acting spiritual has any meaning apart from obedience.

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