Are You Spiritual?

I think that many of us have ‘grown up’ with a version of what it means to be ‘spiritual’ that differs in some crucial ways from what the Bible emphasizes. For many of us, being spiritual had to do, mostly, with getting our doctrines right and conforming to certain behavioral expectations. Now, I hope it goes without saying (but maybe not these days) that being spiritual certainly includes believing Biblical teaching and living by Scriptural principles. The problem is, it’s possible to do both those things in a certain way and still be very unspiritual (remember the Pharisees?).

Biblical scholars like Gordon Fee have pointed out that one of the best ways to think about what it means to be spiritual is to think of it in this way: ‘Spirit-ual’ – that is, having to do with the Holy Spirit. So one of the best ways to think of being spiritual is to think about the fruit the Spirit produces in a life yielded to Him.

Now if we ask ourselves, “Am I ‘spiritual’?” it would mean “Am I a person whose life and character is increasingly marked by ‘love, joy, peace, patience……’?” (See Galatians 5:22-23). Putting the question that way might change the answer of many people. To be honest, the version of Christianity that I’ve been around for years tends to call people ‘spiritual’ who are, in fact, angry, joy-less, critical and discontented – even those attitudes are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit.

So again, does being Spirit-ual mean believing the right doctrines? Absolutely, for the Spirit is the one who inspired Biblical truth in the first place. And the Word is the instrument the Spirit uses to do his saving and sanctifying work (see, for example, 2 Thess.2:13; 2 Pet.1:21; Eph.5:18 & Col.3:16).

And does being Spirit-ual have to do with living right and godly conduct and behavior. Again, the answer is absolutely ‘yes’ (see, for example, 1 Thess,4:3-8; Gal.5:16-24; Eph.5:18ff.).

But in saying this, we can’t forget the portrait of Christ-likeness that we find in Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit – and that the first on the list is ‘love’ (which echoes what Jesus said about the greatest commandments were – Matt.22:37ff.).

So, are you loving? Are you habitually joyful? Are you a peace-maker? Are you patient with people and persevering in difficult circumstances? Would people be quick to describe you as kind?....

…In other words, “Are you Spirit-ual?”