True Spirituality
Wade E Taylor

“For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”  Galatians 6:1 NKJ

It is difficult to express the idea of true “spirituality” in a verse or sentence, but it can be narrowed to a principle.

“God is Spirit, they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth.”  John 4:24

Thus, in order to relate to spirituality, one must be “spiritually minded,” or be “in the Spirit.”

To be spiritual indicates that we have come into a degree of spiritual balance and maturity wherein we are living and walking in an ongoing personal relationship with our creator, Jesus.  It also implies that we have been “set” into the Body of Christ and have a balanced relationship with the Church, and have a testimony in the world.

Some present truth and revelation from the Word of God as an end in itself, feeling that this is the mark of spirituality.  The revelation may be genuine and true, yet unless it effects a change within the life of the one through whom it was received, it is, in the words of I Corinthians 13:1, but “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”

Our consecration to the Lord, our walk with Him, our fellowship with the body of believers of which we are a part, our relationship to the world in which we live, must be of such a quality that the “revelation” that we hear and receive finds expression and fulfillment through our lives - the Word becoming flesh, to be seen and handled by each of these.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we to you.”  I John 1:1-3a

That is, the written Word of God and the life experience of Jesus became one.  Through His life, the world saw a visible demonstration of the outworking of the Word in His daily pattern of life.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You shall BE witnesses.”  Our spiritual maturity is not determined by the amount of, or the greatness of our revelations.  Rather, our spiritual maturity relates to the consistent application of spiritual laws and truths to our lives.  Israel saw the deeds of God, but Moses walked in the ways of God.  Through the life of Moses, Israel was able to see the revelation of God.

If today, we were to begin living and practicing all that we know of spiritual things, this nation would be shaken, and brought to God.  Objective truth must first be experienced and personalized within us before it is really ours.  The Word will have power only as the world “handles” us, and as a result, sees His life manifested through us.  Then, they again will marvel and say, “Never man spake like this man ... for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (John 7:46b, Matthew 7:29).

The Lord is looking for those who will conform to the truth and revelation that is coming forth in this hour.  The truth which He is speaking today must find its fulfillment in and through the lives of those whose hearts hunger to better know Him.

“For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6

Our daily walk with the Lord; our on-going fellowship with the Body of Believers of which we are a part; our relationships in the world; each of these areas must visibly reveal and show forth the effect of the written Word of God, and of the Revelations we receive - the Word becoming flesh.

To be “spiritual” indicates that we have come into a degree of “spiritual maturity” in which we know His voice, can discern and respond to His presence, and maintain an active, ongoing personal relationship with the Lord.  There should be within us, a “measure” (30-60-100 fold) of the “substance” of God, which others can sense.

“I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me ... That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”  Proverbs 8:17, 21

“Spirituality” can be defined by a Scriptural admonition.  “God is Spirit, they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24).  Thus, in order to relate to spirituality, one must be “spiritually sensitive and perceptive.”

It also implies that we are “balanced” in our spiritual experience, and in our relationship to the Body of Christ.  Additionally, to be spiritual means that we have a positive testimony before all those to whom we relate, or interact with in life.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.  But Martha was cumbered about much serving.”  Luke 10:38-40a

“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.”  John 11:1

This was one family - two women and a man, who not only lived in the times of Jesus, but who also live within us.  Martha refers to our service, or ministry; Mary refers to our devotional life.  Lazarus refers to our Adamic nature.

Martha complained to Jesus that Mary would not help her serve, but Jesus did not tell Martha to stop serving, as each is essential.  They are sisters and cannot be separated, as each has an important part in our life experience.  Lazarus, their brother, was sick, which speaks of the Adamic nature that must die.

Thus, when Jesus entered into their house (our life experience), Martha (our ministry) will begin to serve; Mary (our devotional life) will begin to worship; and Lazarus (our Adamic nature) will begin to die.  Each of these are to function in a “balanced” relationship to each other (one family).

No one of them should have preeminence or priority over the others.  However, the Holy Spirit spotlight may shine brightly on one aspect of our lives at certain times.  This “balance” should be maintained in our personal lives, and also, in the ministry of the Church.

The Lord is looking for those who will conform to the truth and revelation that is coming forth in this hour - the Lord taking the headship of His corporate body in order to demonstrate His life through our lives.

Again, as the Word becomes flesh, our nation and the world will be shaken and brought to God.  This is the mark and witness of true Spirituality.