Other's Spirituality

[tinytim]

We all do it ... even if you deny it...
We all judge others spirituality by the things they do or don't do...

This thread's purpose is to point out things that you have a tendency to use to rate someone's spirituality...

And then if you have any suggestions on how to keep from this practice, please share them...

I will start...

I have a tendency to see people as more spiritual the more they come to church. Church Attendance.... Although I know there are those that are truly close to God even though they only attend 1 service a week... it is easy to judge those that show up 3 times a week as more spiritual.

What are your tendencies?

 

[abcgrad94]

I have a tendency to think quiet people are more spiritual. That doesn't make it true, but you know the verse: "Even a fool is thought to be wise if he doesn't open his mouth."

 

[mcdirector]

I have a tendency to think quiet people are more spiritual. That doesn't make it true, but you know the verse: "Even a fool is thought to be wise if he doesn't open his mouth."

some of us just can't help our big mouths

Those that are well read. I know they may be educated nitwits, but they sound good donchathink!

 

[Dr. Bob]

I see folks who are active in giving and praying for missions to be in the "top tier" of church members.

Giving = spirituality

BTW, as the teaching elder I look out at the congregation as I preach each Sunday. I can see those who are genuinely interested, learning, growing, motivated by the Word and those "putting in their time", yawning, glazed look like the eyes of a city cop, etc.

It is easy to think of the first group as "better" since they react to ME "better". And who knows what evil might lurk under the nodding/amening crowd with the better outward actions. The heart IS deceitful . .

 

[Amy.G]

I tend to think that the people who say the most elequent prayers are more spiritual than me. I can pray, but it doesn't come out sounding all that good. I sound more like a kid praying.
Now, if they would give me time to compose a prayer, write it down and read it, I would do a great job. :laugh:

 

[Palatka51]

The hard working man that is doing his very best to provide for his family is the epitome of spirituality. He will be a provider in the spiritual matters (committed to Christ and the Church) and love his wife and provoke not his children to anger. That is my litmus test of spirituality. :thumbs:

 

[skypair]

To me...

It has to do with 1) unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3-6), 2) understanding the parables and "mysteries" (1Cor 4:1), and 3) belief in pretrib-premil eschatology (many).

It takes the Holy Spirit, IMO, to understand these. It is not that all those who are spiritual totally understand them but that, when they hear them and seek God's wisdom on them, they SEE them.

This is a good thing to investigate, BTW. "Litmus test," I would say. It is quite aside from denominationalism. It strikes to the heart of biblicism!

skypair

 

[skypair]

The hard working man that is doing his very best to provide for his family is the epitome of spirituality. He will be a provider in the spiritual matters (committed to Christ and the Church) and love his wife and provoke not his children to anger. That is my litmus test of spirituality. :thumbs:

Palatka -- I love your testimony! I hadn't even thought of that but it is so true!! God provides for His "family" first and it ought to be reflected in our lives. Good marriage relationship -- good children -- "provide for one's own," 1Tim 5:8. Certainly spirituality starts with our family!

skypair

 

[skypair]

I tend to think that the people who say the most elequent prayers are more spiritual than me. I can pray, but it doesn't come out sounding all that good. I sound more like a kid praying. :

Amy, we all are as "children!" We often think we pray selfishly, ignorantly, emotionally ... We CARE, don't we. Rom 8:26 says "...for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." There is no prayer more spiritual than your heart-felt prayer -- the Spirit will make it right!

skypair

 

[skypair]

BTW, as the teaching elder I look out at the congregation as I preach each Sunday. I can see those who are genuinely interested, learning, growing, motivated by the Word and those "putting in their time", yawning, glazed look like the eyes of a city cop, etc.

Bob, arrange your sermon so those who are listeing can take notes. One thing I love that Paul said to Timothy is this --- "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies [Paul's preaching] which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;" 1Tim 1:18 and "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy [Paul's preaching], with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 1Tim 4:14

When Dr Rogers would preach, I would ALWAYS take notes and "meditate upon these thing, give myself to then wholly; that my profiting may appear to all!" Dr Rogers is deceased but I still refer often to his sermons -- share transcripts with others -- you might call me a "disciple" and I would not be offended. When the man of God preaches the word of God, the Holy Spirit "endorses" his every word!

skypair

 

[MB]

We all do it ... even if you deny it...
We all judge others spirituality by the things they do or don't do...

This thread's purpose is to point out things that you have a tendency to use to rate someone's spirituality...

And then if you have any suggestions on how to keep from this practice, please share them...

I will start...

I have a tendency to see people as more spiritual the more they come to church. Church Attendance.... Although I know there are those that are truly close to God even though they only attend 1 service a week... it is easy to judge those that show up 3 times a week as more spiritual.

What are your tendencies?

The only way not to judge is just not go there. Catch your self when those thoughts of Judgement enter your mind and stop them before they go to far. We do have control over what we think in our own minds.

There is a difference between Judgement and Knowing something about someone. Judgement in my opinion is passing a sentence on those you've deemed to be in what ever sin they may be in. Knowing they are in that sin is not judging them because we have to realize we are all guilty of something because there is no man with out sin.
Hypocrisy comes when we spread the knowledge of it around in order to make the person look bad. This is sentencing them to the embarassment of it.
Going to church 3 times a week does not make them more spiritual. Going to church doesn't mean the person you may think is so spiritual ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, spiritual at all.
IMHO those who are spiritual are those who pray all the time. Those who seek God's leading for everything. It's not very often you get to know just who they are. Although I have discoverd a few.

This is when we walk in the Spirit, when we consider God in everything we do. When we never end the prayer but continue to stay in contact with Him all the time.

MB

 

[just-want-peace]

I tend to think that the people who say the most elequent prayers are more spiritual than me. I can pray, but it doesn't come out sounding all that good. I sound more like a kid praying.
Now, if they would give me time to compose a prayer, write it down and read it, I would do a great job. :laugh:

Interesting!! My feelings are just the opposite. I see the "eloquent" pray-er as one who is talking to the people listening, not God, and the one who prays "as a child", as the one more in tune with Him.

'Course the fact that I fit the latter category just may have something to do with my perspective; ya think? ----- NAH!!!!!

Seriously this may come from the fact that I am NOT a public pray-er; in my private prayers I talk just as I would to you if you were sitting beside me, while in public praying I get uptight and talk very un-natural.

 

[Salamander]

We all do it ... even if you deny it...
We all judge others spirituality by the things they do or don't do...

This thread's purpose is to point out things that you have a tendency to use to rate someone's spirituality...

And then if you have any suggestions on how to keep from this practice, please share them...

I will start...

I have a tendency to see people as more spiritual the more they come to church. Church Attendance.... Although I know there are those that are truly close to God even though they only attend 1 service a week... it is easy to judge those that show up 3 times a week as more spiritual.

What are your tendencies?

I have the tendacy to judge ones spirituality for starting threads that want to know what it is one does to judge another's spirituality.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I have a tendency to see full-time overseas missionaries as more spiritual. While most missionaries are amazing servants for God and I have great respect for them all, not all missionaries go for the right reasons or are really all that spiritual.

 

[Amy.G]

Interesting!! My feelings are just the opposite. I see the "eloquent" pray-er as one who is talking to the people listening, not God, and the one who prays "as a child", as the one more in tune with Him.

'Course the fact that I fit the latter category just may have something to do with my perspective; ya think? ----- NAH!!!!!

Seriously this may come from the fact that I am NOT a public pray-er; in my private prayers I talk just as I would to you if you were sitting beside me, while in public praying I get uptight and talk very un-natural.

HA! :laugh: I like your take on it! We'll just stick with people who pray like children are more spiritual. :thumbs:

 

[tinytim]

I have the tendacy to judge ones spirituality for starting threads that want to know what it is one does to judge another's spirituality.

:laugh: :laugh: And what does that say about me... ( I can't believe I am askin!!)

 

[SaggyWoman]

My name is SaggyWoman, and I am inadequate to be called a child of God on my own. Short of the adoption of God through His Son Jesus, I am but an unwanted illigitimate child.

But, if God be for us, who can be against us?

I used to be pretty pharisaical in my day. But "spirituality" ?? ? ? ? Where is the relationship???

 

[Jim1999]

Has anyone defined "spirituality" yet? I really don't know what it is that expresses itself physically and in public. I have enough trouble minding my own spiritual values to judge others.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[tinytim]

some of us just can't help our big mouths

Those that are well read. I know they may be educated nitwits, but they sound good donchathink!

OOOOH... WHAT A SETUP!!!

For both you and ABC!

SHOULD I TAKE IT? nAh... i'lL bE nIcE!

 

[tinytim]

Has anyone defined "spirituality" yet? I really don't know what it is that expresses itself physically and in public. I have enough trouble minding my own spiritual values to judge others.

Cheers,

Jim

That is part of the problem with judging others, and others judging others...
There are so many definitions to what someone thinks makes them spiritual...