Proverbs
3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear
the LORD, and depart from evil.
Romans
12:16 [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Here
we are presented with what would seem like two distinctly opposing adjectives
for the Christian believer. To be spiritual but also to be consumed with that "spiritual"
lifestyle that you become the anthesis of what you desire to be. Confusing isn’t
it? It is, but it is also too common.
How
is this possible for two opposing ideas to coexist? The simple answer is
immaturity. There are many folks in church today who sound really like they are
with it in the spiritual sense. They profess Christ (most if not all genuinely)
and they attend church most regularly. These folks even quote the scripture and
by all indications lead everyone to believe they are on track. So what happens
and why can’t they see there is another side to them? Again the answer is
immaturity.
To
be fair, spiritual immaturity really is inherent in us all too some degree
because none of us this side of Heaven has reached the point where growth is no
longer required. We all have our faults and all are on differing levels of
growing in faith. So this really isn’t pointed at anyone in particular except
for those who by their actions are causing problems within the church.
Immaturity
simply means one who is not fully developed. Again that is us all. However, the
trap comes when we get so full of knowledge that we unknowingly drift from the
heart of the servanthood spirit. The crux is that we drift away even though we
profess and others think we are devoted to Christ. This is a difficult position
to be in for the individual and others because the ones who are blind to it are
obviously unaware and the rest want to help but are timid to try.
An
example is one who uses Scripture to try to convict someone. Now that in itself
is a great thing, that is where we should go, but when we do it to show
ourselves in front of others then it becomes a problem. The Bible clearly
states in Galatians 6:1 that we should go to the person privately who is at fault to
confront them. When I think of this person who makes a “subtle show” of
reproof, often redirecting any conversation to their own agenda, reminds of me
of a Ray Stevens song, The Mississippi Squirrel Revival. One of the lyrics
states that the squirrel ran all the way down to the “amen pew” where sat
Sister Bertha Better Than You who watched all the commotion with sadistic glee.
Such people you have come to know.
Here
is the issue though with people of this persuasion. They cause divisiveness in
the church. Which God literally hates, and Satan literally loves.
Folks
like this talk a good game and even live it out to a certain extent, but the
issue within seeps out in the form of unconscious bragging, muttering to
themselves (which others clearly hear) and holding grudges in place of seeking
the spiritual way of restoration and forgiveness which the Bible, that they
swear by, leads them to do. Such people unfortunately are the reason so many
turn away from church and eventually close its doors. So ironic as it is
tragic.
What
can be done? Anything? Nothing?
Let
me offer a few suggestions:
1. Pray
for that person in private. Ask God to open their eyes to what they are doing,
who they are offending and their witness being sullied. When God is not allowed
to work because we have stopped our hearts, we do feel everything is as it
should be, but that is man’s thinking. The Bible tells us plainly to walk
circumspectly and be on guard.
2. Understand
what they are going through. Now that seems strange, but folks who think
themselves pious and spiritual are in desperate need of help and it could
happen to any of us. It is easy for any of us to get more of ourselves involved
than we think. An odd caveat to this is that the person, for whom you are
trying to be understanding with, probably thinks that you are the one in need
of a spiritual checkup. Throughout my years in ministry I have witnessed,
sadly, those who thought I was the one who was serving to make a name for
myself. But it was their behavior, sometimes rudeness, and their speech which
told the tale. Yet they were blind to it all. I certainly as anyone else am not
above fault, and yes there are times when we need corrected, but, in those
times it was God who convicted me, not mankind.
3. Be
patient. Yes if someone is causing divisions it’s hard to set back and watch it
unfold, however, let God work on God’s schedule.
4. Be
polite. Folks like this may ignore you or make you feel less of a person. The
same thing happened to our Blessed Lord. Take it, but don’t dish it out. Jesus
did not.
5. Be
Loving. It may sound odd with someone
who has a larger than life spiritual ego to tell them how much you love and
appreciate them. Loving them though will create within them a conviction that
the Lord can work through to help them. A person, who is building themselves up
will realize as the Lord and His people be kind to them, will send a message
there is a problem.
6. Be
there. When the crash happens, be there! No one needs to fall from a pedestal without
hands to keep them from hitting the hard pavement of reality. Bear up one
another!
These
can be difficulties with which we deal with often, but did not our Lord always
deal so with us? The characteristics of a person struggling with an area of
immaturity are all the same, and so is the grace given to us all who love the
Lord and desire we should all be in unity.
image credit Hunter McGee
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