What Does “Being Spiritual” Really Mean?

How often have you heard the words “spiritual” tossed around today, especially on TV?  It is often claimed, “He is so spiritual.”  The description of the worship service is “highly spiritual.”  Or some among us are saying, “We need to be more spiritual.”  Are they using the term as the Bible uses it?  Some relate it to ‘emotionalism’ or ‘spookiness’ even.  Looking for spirituality in the New Age movement, or mysticism or spiritism as in the Victorian era in England. . .  These are counterfeit spirituality.

There are only two spiritual realms:  the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the devil.  (I John 5:19)  We either walk in the light of God’s Word or in the darkness of the world.  Those outside of Christ are not citizens of the Kingdom of heaven; they are not truly spiritual.  It is written to Christians in  Romans 8:14.  Spirituality is described in the Bible.  The god of this world has blinded them to the true spirituality of the gospel.  (II Corinthians 4:3-4)

Without question, a spiritual tree will yield spiritual fruit.  In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the spiritual fruit.  Read, “Without these, one certainly cannot claim to be “spiritual.”

Body:

In addition to these characteristics of a spiritual man, the apostle Paul in the very next chapter reveals nine additional marks of a spiritually-minded disciple.

Text:  Galatians 6:1-10

Help us to see how we are to live as spiritual people.

1.  (Verse 1)  Spiritual man seeks to restore a fallen brother.  (Galatians 6:1) He is too concerned to just stand by and do nothing while men are dying because of their sins.  He is like God in this respect.  (II Peter 3:9)  Some may have fallen into the works of the flesh in Galatians 5.  The spiritual man continues to see hope in leading the erring back to Christ. We need an attitude of gentleness and meekness and patience and kindness.

2.  (Verse 2)  Spiritual man gladly helps others bear their burdens. He continually helps.  (Matthew 7:12)  Some may be distressed, in sorrow.  We need to help in whatever way we can, providing a shoulder or an ear.  Spiritual man does this, fulfilling the law.  (James 2:8)

3.  (Verse 3)  Spiritual man does not think he is more important or superior to others.  He does not seek a bigger house or more money.  He is not boastful or conceited.  He realizes he may need a friend to bear his burdens some day.  He is aware of I Corinthians 10-12, Romans 12:3, and II Corinthians 3:5.  “False pride never finds residence in the heart of a spiritually-minded person.”

4.  (Verse 4)  Being spiritual means examining your own service to God; evaluating your contribution to the Kingdom of God.  We need to take a real and honest look.  The spiritually-minded man will go about doing God’s will to the best of his ability without a lot of fanfare.  He won’t boast of all that he’s doing.  Others will see his good works and glorify God because of it.  (Matthew 5:16)  He realizes he can’t get to heaven on someone else’s shirttail.  (II Corinthians 5:10)  He is aware that he can’t retire from Christianity.  He continually tries to become ‘more spiritual’ by growing in Christian graces.  (II Peter 1:5-8)  “You never get through.”

5.  (Verse 5)  The spiritually-minded man does not expect others to carry out his spiritual duties for him.  (I Peter 2:5, 9)  No one can worship for me or serve for me!  All Christians are priests.  (Romans 1:6)  The spiritual man accepts the responsibility for his own personal obligations.  He does not blame others for his problems.  He doesn’t believe that he is a ‘victim’ and that the world owes him anything.  This is contrary to many in modern society. 

6.  (Verse 6)  Being spiritual means a willingness to support his spiritual teachers.  (I Corinthians 9:9-14)  As the teacher supplies spiritual riches; the listeners supply material blessings.  Often the worldly or carnal brother resents providing his teacher with an “adequate” support.  [Discuss the hours of preparation.]  (Luke 10:7)  “The laborer is worthy of his hire.”  The spiritual man realizes the teacher is not supported just so he does not have to carry out his own personal obligations.  A preacher works with the brethren not for them.  He is not a hired hand!  That is a denominational concept!  The preacher is not to do the work of the elders for them; he is not to do the work of the deacons for them, etc.

7.  (Verses 7, 8)  The spiritual man understands the idea of sowing and reaping in regard to both his living and his giving.  (Romans 2:6)  “. . . render to each one according to his deeds.”  King Ahab reaped what he sowed; so did Elijah.  Read Hosea 8:7.  Sow to the spirit for a few years and reap an eternal reward.  Sow to the flesh for a few years and reap eternal hell.  The meaning of sowing to the flesh: living only for this world.  It is not necessarily immoral.  God’s Word is clear.  (Matthew 25:46)  “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  What kind of life will you sow?  The choice is clear.  (Joshua 24:15)

8.  (Verse 9)  Being spiritual means not quitting, not giving up in our Christian service.  The spiritual man realizes that he will receive his reward if he continues faithful in his work.  (I Corinthians 15:58)  Hard work is out of style in present-day America.  Thomas Edison, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”  Remember that partially done, unfinished work is not acceptable before God. (Revelation 3:2)  Don’t give up.  Let’s not be defeated.  Elijah thought he was defeated and hid in a cave.  (I Kings 19)  He needed to be reminded that 7,000 were faithful.

9.  (Verse 10)  The Christian who is living according to the Spirit does good to all men when opportunity presents itself, whether the one in need is saved or not.  (Romans 8:5)  (Proverbs 3:27-28)  We must live the religion of the Good Samaritan.

Conclusion: 

We have examined in detail what the spiritual man is like.  The spiritual man produces fruit of the Spirit as well as these nine marks or attributes.  As we have seen, true spirituality is not found by acting pious or humble, but by doing the will of God.  (Matthew 7:21)  Do you want to be spiritually-minded?  You must first get into Christ.  How?  (Galatians 3:27)  “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  Then you can produce fruit of the Spirit.  Is your life truly a spiritual one?  Maybe you need to repent and pray.  Do you need to be baptized?

Bobby Stafford

December 9, 2012