How to Be Spiritually Selective

21^st Century Spirituality and Religion

I try to be good. But it’s so hard!

Isn’t it enough to simply try to be good, at least by our own values? Jesus was often impressed by the faith of those outside of Judaism and even said that they would be sitting at the banquet table and in Heaven with him. With this in mind, isn’t the grace of God sufficient?

By that standard, is it okay for a gangster to kill many people and then be nice to his family because he has “family values?”

Bible verses:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God [showing us the way of love], and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” – John 4:4-6 (ESV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! [Practice opposite of love]’” Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)

These verses talk to us about what Jesus showed us is the way of love that benefits our spirit (saves us). Those people and spirits who tell us the opposite (antichrist) are not beneficial and can lead to our ruin.

Spirituality is about spiritual growth

I engage with spiritual ideas many times a week, and when I write an article I consider many of them.

I once wondered if my spiritual growth can be measured by giving. I put $10.00 in the offering plate at church and asked for $5.00 change. The offering usher replied, “Change comes from within.” (Adopted from a joke on Reddit.)

The spiritual world raises our awareness of ideas we find compelling. These ideas move us to action and influence our behavior. They can change our ideas about who we should treat well, or rob us from doing beneficial efforts.

Not all compelling spiritual ideas are beneficial

Some ideas simply appeal to a depleted hot air in our minds that makes us think we’re gaining something from what is likely nothing beneficial. This hot air quickly dissipates and leaves us feeling empty and wanting more.

Ideas like fame, fortune, power, physical appearance, sexual lust leading to promiscuity (sleeping around), and endless entertainment, are ideas that have no lasting value, but often provide a temporary sense of self-esteem or give us a temporary sense of satisfaction that is never satisfied for long.

Certainly, we need re-creation from entertainment, sex, etc. None of us are meant to be turning the wheel of work without rest and time off for rejuvenation. But the appeal of endless instant gratification and wasted time can be our downfall rather than a spiritual favor from God.

Achieving real spiritual growth

Life is full of illusions and temptations, and we have to decide whether they offer only temporary pleasure or lead to true spiritual growth.

Would our time be better spent helping another person? Or better spent watching yet another series of TV and social media videos? What would we gain from each? Are we here just to pass our time, or to experience and learn? I’m as guilty as anyone. It’s difficult to avoid these fleeting pleasures.

All life is spiritual. All life reflects our spiritual nature. “religious” or “secular,” “religion” or “business,” “spiritual” or “recreation.” These terms are misleading 16th century concoctions. Everything we do reflects who we are spiritually. Everything we do demonstrates our love or lack of it for others.

Who do we cheer for? Is it the businessman who pressures people to give up every penny they have? Or the businessman who gives everyone great deals but still gets wealth and gives to good causes?

Do we cheer the athlete who hurts his competitor on the court so they can’t play? And cheats by deflating balls? Or do we cheer the athlete who stops racing to help a fallen athlete? The Karate Kid, now Cobra Kai series on Netflix, is basically about this, and has endured for decades because it is always timely and appeals to both young and old.

Do we cheer the sports team that bullies and bruises its way to a win, or the team that puts in a player suffering from a disease, knowing that being in the game means the world to them—even if the team loses?

There is a time for every season. Winning is great and sports can be a great tool for personal development. But we have to consider what have we really achieved and what our methods do to our soul. As Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, what does it profit us if we gain the entire world but forfeit our own soul?

Conclusion

The spiritual realm is full of compelling ideas. Some resonate with us because they pump us full of hot air that quickly deflates and leaves us wanting more. Some resonate because they are the path to fill us with love for others and leave a lasting benefit to others and our own soul. We are the ones who have to decide which ideas are beneficial and which are at the expense of our soul.

“With hate, we have more to lose than gain—break the cycle.” – Dorian Scott Cole

“Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world better.” – Dorian Scott Cole

Probability Space

What probability space can we open in our minds to find one act of kindness to give today? One kind word, one kind action, one hug to someone hurting, one smile of encouragement and acceptance? Just one. Doing these actions will leave a lasting benefit to others and our own soul.

(A probability space is where all the elements necessary for something to happen are present and it’s almost inevitable. All it takes is intention.)

Potential Space

If you think creatively and allow your mind to wander and explore, how can you be more discerning about what helps you grow spiritually and transform?”

(A potential space is a new space created by pushing the limits of what we know, believe, and how we behave into entirely new areas. For example, AI creativity and much of human creativity has its roots in what already exists. A potential space is a place to develop new insight and entirely new things.)

Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. This helps me improve my work.
Please subscribe to my Patheos Newsletter.

–           Dorian. My website: Dorian Scott Cole