How Spiritual Are You?

It is a comm myth that ‘you are either spiritual or not’. Everyone is spiritual, it’s just some are more aware of that fact than others. 

This article is for you to find out where on the scale you are – just how spiritual you are – but be warned, we’re not going to sugar coat anything! 

To analyse this, many would ask if you have vivid dreams, if you see aura colours, if you sense others’ emotions or experience visions of the future…we are going to take a different tact. While all of those things can be spiritual, they are subjective, fleeting and on the lower scale of spirituality. 

The depth, level or power of spirituality is determined by the One behind or driving the spiritual experiences or events happening. There is a clear hierarchy – and we want to make sure our Source is right up there! 

The highest power? The Creator of the Universe – Jesus Christ… 

If that statement caused you to react, to shudder, to want to close this page – you need to force yourself to continue reading… The forces you have interacted with so far have been low on the scale of power & authority. In fact, what you have experienced so far has been designed to keep you away from what really matters. 

You see, if you are obsessed with working out what that dream means, going to continual conferences to hear the latest ‘wisdom’, paying for readings and courses, practising meditations and emptying yourself…the less you are able to hear and know the One thing that matters. 

Jesus! 

Seriously. That One name may one of the only things that makes you shudder – but ironically the only One who can give you true peace. Total, complete, deep, mind blowing, soul replenishing and everlasting peace. There is a conspiracy – a big one – to keep you away from Him and what He offers – Life! 

We could teach you how to interpret dreams, how to get intone with your spiritual ‘side’, how to see into the future – but it is all meaningless. You need to know the One who holds everything in His hand and is in charge of everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. 

Jesus!!

• He has always existed 
• He will always exist
• He created everything 
• He visited His creation
• He was killed by those He created 
• He became sin for those He loved
• He rose from the dead
• He rose to Heaven
• He reveals Himself to a select few – maybe that includes you? 
• He is coming back to judge & rule

His power is unlimited – far above anything you have ever experienced or imagined. And the funny thing is, when He gives you something spiritual, it results in the opposite of what you want and what you see as normal. But it indicates true power. 

This is why so many people, seemingly weak, pathetic and disposable, have been able and willing to stand up to the most powerful without fear, without hesitation and without malice. Christians, people who see Jesus as King (not the religious / Catholic types!), the most persecuted on the planet, have consistently turned the other cheek, forgiven their oppressors, worked for nothing, donated, legislated, witnessed and sacrificed for those that deserve nothing. Why? 

Jesus!!

When He invades, pervades and transforms a life, that life starts to interact with true power. The One who created everything. 

The Risen Jesus – the Christ – empowers His people, by sending the very Spirit of God to those who have accepted Him as King…¹Luke 24:49 (NLT) And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” 

The Holy Spirit – the most powerful force in the universe – this is what He does:

• Convicts His people of sin. This means that as God works on you, you start to feel bad (guilt) for things you have done that were not right (sin). This is not just because it was wronging another person…but because it was against the God who created you. ²John 16:8 (NLT) And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming Judgment.
• Convinces you of God’s righteousness – how perfect and holy He is…so different to us! ³John 16:8 (NLT) And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.,
• The natural conclusion the first two, is the third…Knowing our own sin, in light of his perfect God is, means the coming Judgement will be *bad*!! We will be found guilty… ⁴John 16:8 (NLT) And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
• Some would think that the first three would evoke feelings of only fear, shame and desperation…But that couldn’t be further from the truth… The Holy Spirit brings deep, overflowing and never ending joy, because we know what we deserve yet are offered complete forgiveness instead ⁵ Romans 4:7-8 (NLT) Oh, what joy for those
  whose disobedience is forgiven,
  whose sins are put out of sight.
  Yes, what joy for those
  whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”  ⁶1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NLT) So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.
• Adding to the joy, He gives peace: deep and foundational, from an inner knowledge that you are God’s child (as opposed to being merely a religious observer). Being adopted into God’s very family as a son / daughter with all it’s benefits…amazing! ⁷ ”Romans 8:15-16 (NLT) So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children”
• If all that wasn’t enough, He also gives the desire to worship God – for who He is and what He has done. His wisdom, power and love know no bounds!  ⁸ Ephesians 1:14 (NLT) The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 
• The process has started and will continue for your entire life: God, the perfect One, changing us the filthy, dirty, fallible many, into His very likeness! Glorious! ⁹2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 
• Your very thoughts and attitudes will be changed supernaturally…especially into ear of sin: you won’t want to do it anymore! ¹⁰ Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  
• And more than ‘just’ not wanting to sin, He will give you the power to overcome it! ¹¹1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
• At times, your sinful nature will be enticing you to sin and you will have the option and ability to follow the Holy Spirit instead!  ¹² Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹³ Jude 1:19 (NLT) These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. 
• You will, more and more, spend your time on activities that please God…and you will seek His approval instead of that of your friends / family / other humans!  ¹⁴Philippians 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. ¹⁵Romans 2:29 (NLT) No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. 
• When you do fall and decide to sin, you will be aware of the Holy Spirit being sad / grieved and wanting you to confess & repent (turn away)¹⁶ Ephesians 4:30 (NLT) And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 
• He will change your heart to love others – *really* love them – especially other Christians! Less & less you will see them as weird and your heart will be for them, even if they wrong you! ¹⁷1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NLT) But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.  
• The compassion He gives will compel you to give to those in need, as opposed to trying to build your own empire. The love of money will wane more & more as you follow Him.  ¹⁸ 1 John 3:16-17 (NLT) We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?  
• He will teach you: somehow you will know deep down what Jesus said and the words of the Bible will sink in deep (feed on it heaps!)  ¹⁹John 14:26 (NLT) But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. ²⁰1 John 2:27 (NLT) But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 
• Amazingly, you will start to get excited by serving God! I kid you not, serving Him is more high energy than stealing cars at times – crazy!  ²¹Romans 12:11(NLT+alt) “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically (or) let the Spirit excite you as you serve the Lord”. (Emphasis Added)

 

Now that is real power. Not cheap visions & party tricks – but the real, measurable and actual  transformation of sinful and pathetic souls into something beautiful and powerful! Our very identity and eternity changed instantly & permanently – wow! 

Not merely knowing the future, but knowing the One who is in control of the future!!

I pray that no matter what your background, no matter how many mistakes, no matter how low or down you have been, you would be willing to open your heart to the One who died for you. 

Jesus Christ! 

He. Is. Everything. 

Lord, please forgive me for all I have done. I confess that I have sinned against You and an unable to do anything on my own. Please release me from this sin and change my heart. Help me to live for You instead of myself… 

Footnotes:

• 1
  Luke 24:49 (NLT) And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
• 2
  John 16:8 (NLT) And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming Judgment.
• 3
  John 16:8 (NLT) And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
• 4
  John 16:8 (NLT) And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
• 5
  Romans 4:7-8 (NLT) Oh, what joy for those
  whose disobedience is forgiven,
  whose sins are put out of sight.
  Yes, what joy for those
  whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.” 
• 6
  1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NLT) So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.
• 7
  ”Romans 8:15-16 (NLT) So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children”
• 8
  Ephesians 1:14 (NLT) The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
• 9
  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
• 10
   Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
• 11
  1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
• 12
   Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
• 13
  Jude 1:19 (NLT) These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
• 14
  Philippians 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
• 15
  Romans 2:29 (NLT) No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
• 16
  Ephesians 4:30 (NLT) And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
• 17
  1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NLT) But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.
• 18
  1 John 3:16-17 (NLT) We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 
• 19
  John 14:26 (NLT) But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
• 20
  1 John 2:27 (NLT) But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
• 21
  Romans 12:11(NLT+alt) “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically (or) let the Spirit excite you as you serve the Lord”. (Emphasis Added)