I would like to hear from you and find out what you think determines someone who is spiritual and someone who is fleshly. This is should make for a good discussion and hopefully some true insight, so write away......
There are lots of example of spiritual and fleshly, but I'm going to go with the one I shake my head at most often. Since I am staying home now, I enjoy watching the beginning of the Today's show. I shake my head at all the junk they try to tell you "need" to help improve your life. So my question is where do you turn when you are struggling or have questions? If you turn to scripture or someone who is spiritual minded you will find answers. If you turn to the latest self-help book or what the world says you need to do to live better, that's a fleshly person.
Well said! It takes a spiritual mind to realize the true source of things. I will write in my blog a little later about spiritual/fleshly but for now, I want to hear from others.
My first thought when I read your post was how easy it is for people to "be spiritual" around brethren or others in the 'religious world'. It's how we live when we don't think anyone's watching that tells the full story. For example: **What's the first thing we do when someone hurts or offends us - especially someone in the church? (Do we run to the phone to call that person we know will tell us we're justified in being upset or do we go to God in prayer and forgive - even without being asked?) **What about when we get bad news about our job, our health, a loved one? (Do we trust in God's promises as His children or do we become anxious and start trying to figure things out on our own?) **What happens as parents when our child is having problems with another child or even a teacher? (Do we practice Godliness - pray with them and show them the right way to handle it or do we get angry and misguide them with the "you don't have to take that from anyone" attitude?) ...and the list could go on!
When I think of what determines someone who is spiritual or someone who is fleshly, I think of how they deal with living in the world. While we have to live in the world, those of us who are walking faithfully with Christ will not be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2) Just as we're learning in our study of I John, children will imitate their father. Want to know if a person is spiritual or fleshly - watch closely who they imitate!
A spiritual brother/sister looks to scripture for truth, knows what God's mercy and the love of Jesus mean and recognizes that sin must be taken before God to be forgiven. Fleshly people justify their sin by their circumstances, how they have been 'wronged' or what they believe is 'fair'. As such, like Tawn said earlier, they turn to wordly sources for answers (books, 'experts', celebrity talk show hosts, etc). Fleshly people minimize the impact of the cross by not openly and honestly laying their sins at the foot of the cross for forgiveness only God can give. I think of David, who took a fleshly route attempting to cover up his sin and trying to deal with his sin himself. It ate him from the inside out. When he took the spiritual route that God was waiting for him to take, relief and forgiveness was granted, as it always will be.
Great thoughts....I be writing next week adding to all the thoughts. Others need to write too! It is interesting to see what others see as spiritual and fleshly. Many have little insight. Thanks everyone.
...I can't believe Dale beat me here to answer the question!! ha!!
When I think of Spiritual and Fleshly...I think of a complete change in your mindset if your are choosing to lead a spiritual life. It will affect EVERY aspect of your life, how you treat others and any decision you make. You will be looking for God's will in everything. Fleshly people often let their emotions or desires determine their actions and steps. All of us have different struggles...there are many things that are "easy" for me to be Spiritual about...and on the other hand there are many that can be very difficult. It is how I handle these difficult situations that I try to pay attention to.. This is where I can tell if I am growing in the right direction or need to be less fleshly... Thankfully, the Lord is patient with me! :)
I believe someone who is fleshly is always worried about something going on in their life. They don't put it in gods hands. They just worry and worry somemore. Also fleshly people always have to have the latest and greatest. They want to out do their neighbor or family member with fleshly items.
7 comments:
There are lots of example of spiritual and fleshly, but I'm going to go with the one I shake my head at most often. Since I am staying home now, I enjoy watching the beginning of the Today's show. I shake my head at all the junk they try to tell you "need" to help improve your life. So my question is where do you turn when you are struggling or have questions? If you turn to scripture or someone who is spiritual minded you will find answers. If you turn to the latest self-help book or what the world says you need to do to live better, that's a fleshly person.
Well said! It takes a spiritual mind to realize the true source of things. I will write in my blog a little later about spiritual/fleshly but for now, I want to hear from others.
My first thought when I read your post was how easy it is for people to "be spiritual" around brethren or others in the 'religious world'. It's how we live when we don't think anyone's watching that tells the full story. For example:
**What's the first thing we do when someone hurts or offends us - especially someone in the church? (Do we run to the phone to call that person we know will tell us we're justified in being upset or do we go to God in prayer and forgive - even without being asked?)
**What about when we get bad news about our job, our health, a loved one? (Do we trust in God's promises as His children or do we become anxious and start trying to figure things out on our own?)
**What happens as parents when our child is having problems with another child or even a teacher? (Do we practice Godliness - pray with them and show them the right way to handle it or do we get angry and misguide them with the "you don't have to take that from anyone" attitude?)
...and the list could go on!
When I think of what determines someone who is spiritual or someone who is fleshly, I think of how they deal with living in the world. While we have to live in the world, those of us who are walking faithfully with Christ will not be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2) Just as we're learning in our study of I John, children will imitate their father. Want to know if a person is spiritual or fleshly - watch closely who they imitate!
A spiritual brother/sister looks to scripture for truth, knows what God's mercy and the love of Jesus mean and recognizes that sin must be taken before God to be forgiven. Fleshly people justify their sin by their circumstances, how they have been 'wronged' or what they believe is 'fair'. As such, like Tawn said earlier, they turn to wordly sources for answers (books, 'experts', celebrity talk show hosts, etc). Fleshly people minimize the impact of the cross by not openly and honestly laying their sins at the foot of the cross for forgiveness only God can give. I think of David, who took a fleshly route attempting to cover up his sin and trying to deal with his sin himself. It ate him from the inside out. When he took the spiritual route that God was waiting for him to take, relief and forgiveness was granted, as it always will be.
Great thoughts....I be writing next week adding to all the thoughts. Others need to write too! It is interesting to see what others see as spiritual and fleshly. Many have little insight. Thanks everyone.
...I can't believe Dale beat me here to answer the question!! ha!!
When I think of Spiritual and Fleshly...I think of a complete change in your mindset if your are choosing to lead a spiritual life. It will affect EVERY aspect of your life, how you treat others and any decision you make. You will be looking for God's will in everything.
Fleshly people often let their emotions or desires determine their actions and steps.
All of us have different struggles...there are many things that are "easy" for me to be Spiritual about...and on the other hand there are many that can be very difficult. It is how I handle these difficult situations that I try to pay attention to.. This is where I can tell if I am growing in the right direction or need to be less fleshly... Thankfully, the Lord is patient with me! :)
I believe someone who is fleshly is always worried about something going on in their life. They don't put it in gods hands. They just worry and worry somemore. Also fleshly people always have to have the latest and greatest. They want to out do their neighbor or family member with fleshly items.
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