'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Spirituality

In whatever way you may think of spirituality, it clearly contrasts the physical. Interestingly, sometimes there are direct parallels between the physical and spiritual. At other times the contrast is striking. For example...

The Apostle Paul used a farming/gardening illustration to teach a spiritual truth. Consider:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

—Galatians 6:7 (NASB95)

You really do not have to be a farmer or gardener to know that sowing apple seeds produces apple trees and ultimately, apples. Corn seeds produce corn. Daisy seeds produce daisies.

Yet, Paul drew a spiritual parallel:

The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (verse 8)

Sowing to one’s flesh is the idea of satisfying one’s evil fleshly cravings. Sowing to the Spirit is the idea of living godly according to the Spirit of God. So, the physical principle of sowing and reaping applies the same way spiritually.

Consider a teaching of Jesus.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

—Matthew 13:45–46 (NASB95)

Apply this literally to the physical world? Absurd! To literally sell all of one’s belongings for the pearl makes no sense. That person would have no food, clothing, shelter, etc.; just a pearl. So, possessing only his valued pearl, he would soon die. However, it makes perfect sense if the part about selling out applies to one’s earthly possessions while the pearl applies to spiritual things, such as, the kingdom of heaven.

Next, consider Solomon’s advise to the young:

Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes.

—Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NASB95)

Whether physical or spiritual advice, does that sound wise? Wisdom, however, IS found in the remainder of the verse:

Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.

Choices have consequences. That makes sense in the physical world, but, according to Solomon it is also a sobering spiritual truth.

When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount He reminded the people of the moral law about murder, “You shall not commit murder.” He then said:

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. 

—Matthew 5:22 (NASB95)

Jesus was not saying, “Murder used to be morally wrong but now things are stricter; anger is morally wrong.” He was actually trying to get the people to see that murder is rooted in anger. So, instead of focusing on the behavior, first deal with its cause. Address the attitude.

Finally...

A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 

—1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB95)

God expects His people to understand spiritual truths and to use spiritual discernment. He expects us to walk by the Spirit. There is only one source for spiritual truth and instruction. God’s word alone is the key to spirituality.

Mark Stinnett

September 12, 2021