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It is rather popular in our day for a person to be “spiritual.” One might ask, “What does it mean to be spiritual?” The answer(s) to that question will vary from person to person.
If you ask the “experts,” you will find that being a spiritual person could involve anything from practicing yoga to caring for animals. It might also involve loving the planet, daily meditation, and loving yourself.
It seems there is no general consensus among the “spiritual advisors” about what is involved in being spiritual.
However, there is one thing upon which the experts agree—being spiritual does not involve a belief in the Bible. In fact, some seem to have an agenda to separate faith in the Bible and spirituality. In their writings, those who push this agenda warn: “Believing in the Bible and going to church do not make a person spiritual.” In fact, some imply that faith in the Bible and attending church services are hindrances to “true” spirituality. Being “spiritual” is considered as being “cool,” enlightened, sophisticated, and modern; believing the teachings of the Bible and going to church services are for those who are “religious” at best and ignorant at worst.
But consider this. Why is there no agreement among the “experts” about the definition of a spiritual person? It seems to me that there is no agreement among them because there is no objective standard being used to determine what it means to be spiritual. In the absence of an objective standard, one person may claim that being spiritual is “becoming one with nature,” and another person might claim that it means to do yoga exercises. In essence, being “spiritual” is defined individually and is based on nothing more than fallible human opinion.
It is at this point that Christians have an advantage in defining true spirituality because the Christian has an authoritative standard, the Bible. The Bible has a lot to say about being spiritual: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
According to the Bible, a spiritual person is one who “sows to the Spirit” (Galatians 6:7-9), lays up “treasure” in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), and sets his affections on things above (Colossians 3:2). A spiritual person, therefore, focuses on things of a spiritual nature: God, the Word, the church, going to heaven, the value of souls, and salvation from sin.
Let the “experts” say what they will, but true spirituality is defined by God, not by men. Are you spiritual?
Mark Lindley
Chapman Church of Christ
Ripley, MS