1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Other's Spirituality

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by tinytim, Oct 7, 2008.

  1. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    We all do it ... even if you deny it...
    We all judge others spirituality by the things they do or don't do...

    This thread's purpose is to point out things that you have a tendency to use to rate someone's spirituality...

    And then if you have any suggestions on how to keep from this practice, please share them...

    I will start...

    I have a tendency to see people as more spiritual the more they come to church. Church Attendance.... Although I know there are those that are truly close to God even though they only attend 1 service a week... it is easy to judge those that show up 3 times a week as more spiritual.

    What are your tendencies?
     
  2. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I have a tendency to think quiet people are more spiritual. That doesn't make it true, but you know the verse: "Even a fool is thought to be wise if he doesn't open his mouth."
     
  3. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    8,292
    Likes Received:
    11
    some of us just can't help our big mouths ;)

    Those that are well read. I know they may be educated nitwits, but they sound good donchathink!
     
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I see folks who are active in giving and praying for missions to be in the "top tier" of church members.

    Giving = spirituality

    BTW, as the teaching elder I look out at the congregation as I preach each Sunday. I can see those who are genuinely interested, learning, growing, motivated by the Word and those "putting in their time", yawning, glazed look like the eyes of a city cop, etc.

    It is easy to think of the first group as "better" since they react to ME "better". And who knows what evil might lurk under the nodding/amening crowd with the better outward actions. The heart IS deceitful . .
     
  5. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    Messages:
    13,103
    Likes Received:
    4
    I tend to think that the people who say the most elequent prayers are more spiritual than me. I can pray, but it doesn't come out sounding all that good. I sound more like a kid praying.
    Now, if they would give me time to compose a prayer, write it down and read it, I would do a great job. :laugh:
     
  6. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    Messages:
    3,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    The hard working man that is doing his very best to provide for his family is the epitome of spirituality. He will be a provider in the spiritual matters (committed to Christ and the Church) and love his wife and provoke not his children to anger. That is my litmus test of spirituality. :thumbs:
     
  7. skypair

    skypair Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    Messages:
    4,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    To me...

    It has to do with 1) unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3-6), 2) understanding the parables and "mysteries" (1Cor 4:1), and 3) belief in pretrib-premil eschatology (many).

    It takes the Holy Spirit, IMO, to understand these. It is not that all those who are spiritual totally understand them but that, when they hear them and seek God's wisdom on them, they SEE them.


    This is a good thing to investigate, BTW. "Litmus test," I would say. It is quite aside from denominationalism. It strikes to the heart of biblicism!

    skypair
     
  8. skypair

    skypair Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    Messages:
    4,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    Palatka -- I love your testimony! I hadn't even thought of that but it is so true!! God provides for His "family" first and it ought to be reflected in our lives. Good marriage relationship -- good children -- "provide for one's own," 1Tim 5:8. Certainly spirituality starts with our family!

    skypair
     
  9. skypair

    skypair Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    Messages:
    4,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    Amy, we all are as "children!" We often think we pray selfishly, ignorantly, emotionally ... We CARE, don't we. Rom 8:26 says "...for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." There is no prayer more spiritual than your heart-felt prayer -- the Spirit will make it right!

    skypair
     
  10. skypair

    skypair Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    Messages:
    4,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    Bob, arrange your sermon so those who are listeing can take notes. One thing I love that Paul said to Timothy is this --- "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies [Paul's preaching] which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;" 1Tim 1:18 and "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy [Paul's preaching], with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 1Tim 4:14

    When Dr Rogers would preach, I would ALWAYS take notes and "meditate upon these thing, give myself to then wholly; that my profiting may appear to all!" Dr Rogers is deceased but I still refer often to his sermons -- share transcripts with others -- you might call me a "disciple" and I would not be offended. When the man of God preaches the word of God, the Holy Spirit "endorses" his every word!

    skypair
     
  11. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    262
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The only way not to judge is just not go there. Catch your self when those thoughts of Judgement enter your mind and stop them before they go to far. We do have control over what we think in our own minds.

    There is a difference between Judgement and Knowing something about someone. Judgement in my opinion is passing a sentence on those you've deemed to be in what ever sin they may be in. Knowing they are in that sin is not judging them because we have to realize we are all guilty of something because there is no man with out sin.
    Hypocrisy comes when we spread the knowledge of it around in order to make the person look bad. This is sentencing them to the embarassment of it.
    Going to church 3 times a week does not make them more spiritual. Going to church doesn't mean the person you may think is so spiritual ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, spiritual at all.
    IMHO those who are spiritual are those who pray all the time. Those who seek God's leading for everything. It's not very often you get to know just who they are. Although I have discoverd a few.

    This is when we walk in the Spirit, when we consider God in everything we do. When we never end the prayer but continue to stay in contact with Him all the time.

    MB
     
  12. just-want-peace

    just-want-peace Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2002
    Messages:
    7,727
    Likes Received:
    873
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Interesting!! My feelings are just the opposite. I see the "eloquent" pray-er as one who is talking to the people listening, not God, and the one who prays "as a child", as the one more in tune with Him.

    'Course the fact that I fit the latter category just may have something to do with my perspective; ya think? ----- NAH!!!!!

    Seriously this may come from the fact that I am NOT a public pray-er; in my private prayers I talk just as I would to you if you were sitting beside me, while in public praying I get uptight and talk very un-natural.
     
  13. Salamander

    Salamander New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2005
    Messages:
    3,965
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have the tendacy to judge ones spirituality for starting threads that want to know what it is one does to judge another's spirituality.
     
  14. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    5,143
    Likes Received:
    149
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    I have a tendency to see full-time overseas missionaries as more spiritual. While most missionaries are amazing servants for God and I have great respect for them all, not all missionaries go for the right reasons or are really all that spiritual.
     
  15. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    Messages:
    13,103
    Likes Received:
    4
    HA! :laugh: I like your take on it! We'll just stick with people who pray like children are more spiritual. :thumbs:
     
  16. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    :laugh: :laugh: And what does that say about me... ( I can't believe I am askin!!)
     
  17. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2000
    Messages:
    17,933
    Likes Received:
    10
    My name is SaggyWoman, and I am inadequate to be called a child of God on my own. Short of the adoption of God through His Son Jesus, I am but an unwanted illigitimate child.

    But, if God be for us, who can be against us?

    I used to be pretty pharisaical in my day. But "spirituality" ?? ? ? ? Where is the relationship???
     
  18. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    Has anyone defined "spirituality" yet? I really don't know what it is that expresses itself physically and in public. I have enough trouble minding my own spiritual values to judge others.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  19. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0

    OOOOH... WHAT A SETUP!!!

    For both you and ABC!

    SHOULD I TAKE IT? nAh... i'lL bE nIcE!
     
  20. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    That is part of the problem with judging others, and others judging others...
    There are so many definitions to what someone thinks makes them spiritual...
     
Loading...