THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Devotion 11 of 15

SOULISH AND SPIRITUAL RELIGION #1
Soulish religion

Here we touch upon a very sensitive, yet vital, subject. Western civilization has been inundated with soulish religion. Little, if any, appeal is made to the human spirit.

Appropriately, the word "excited" (a much overworked word) is frequently used to describe religious feelings spawned by soulish religion. It must be remembered that our emotional makeup is the weakest part of our constitution. It is foolish to base your religion upon this aspect of our being.

I am going to wax bold at this point, knowing that I may be misunderstood. Much of the religion that is identified as "spiritual" is actually soulish. It does deal with the unseen part of man, but it is the inferior part of that portion that is targeted. I have personally witnessed periods of "worship" that were nothing more than soulish hype. There was a feeling of excitement, but not of spirituality. People felt good, but they did not see good, nor understand well. They seemed to be temporarily lifted away from their troubles, but were not elevated into the heavenlies. They did not particularly care for the things of this world, but neither did they engage in a quest for heavenly things.

Feelings of ecstasy, uncontrolled bodily actions, states of unconsciousness, and unintelligible grunts and groans are not to be equated with spirituality. They are, at the very best, soulish. They do not reach deep enough into our nature to change us, nor high enough to have fellowship with God.

Soulish religion has a wide range. It is basically "fleshly," or "of the earth." In summary, it majors on the temporal, and yields only temporal results.

Indulging the flesh

At the bottom of the soulish scale is fleshly indulgence. This emphasis is seen in the "doctrine of the Nicolaitans" (Rev 2:15). They taught that indulging fleshly appetites was justified because the appetite came from God. God "hated" both their deeds and their teaching (Rev 2:6,16). Theirs, at the very best, was a soulish religion. While this corrupted view of religion is not presently dominating, it is gaining in its popularity. The emphasis on "love everyone" and "do what makes you feel good" is a precursor to this line of reasoning. The seeds of this type of thinking are resident in some of the religion of our time.

The wisdom of the world

At the other extreme of the soulish spectrum lies worldly wisdom. This places reliance upon human wisdom that resides in the soul. It is a natural wisdom which is wholly inadequate to save and sanctify the individual. Paul labored in such a manner as to forbid trusting in the "wisdom of men" (1 Cor 2:6). God has "made foolish the wisdom of this world" because it has been corrupted by sin (1 Cor 1:20). This wisdom is "foolishness" with God--impotent in the area of attaining Divine help or insight (1 Cor 3:19). The soul cannot generate wisdom acceptable to the Living God!

The discipline of the body

Another form of soulish religion is found in self discipline. Men are capable of concocting religious regimentation that is impressive, but is neither honored in heaven nor effective among men. Paul warned the Colossians of such an approach, challenging them to consider their propensities to such a system. "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence" (Col 2:20-23).

The weakness of a religion of human discipline is that it has no power in restraining the lust of the flesh. The reason for this condition is evident: the source of mere discipline and the lust of the flesh reside in the same well--the unregenerate part of man. It is true that the soul is of a higher order than the body. Yet, it is impotent in the arena of spiritual combat, because it is not yet made "new."

This point is emphasized by Paul in his words to Timothy. "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Tim 4:8). He is not talking about jogging or going through an exercise routine. That is a foolish and unlearned view of the text. The NASB translates the verse as follows. "For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." These words are couched in a warning about legalistic approaches to the faith. Paul informed Timothy that some would arise with approaches to pleasing God that reached their apex in outward routine; i.e., "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats" (2 Tim 4:3). Both prohibitions require an extraordinary amount of self-discipline because they are contrary to nature. Thus, their accomplishment might be viewed as making one worthy of Divine acceptance. However, this was not the case. This is a soulish religion, requiring nothing more than what was resident in man's fallen nature. No fellowship with Christ or communion of the Holy Spirit was required to achieve these things. No grace was necessary for their realization. They were soulish!

It should be evident that there is a remarkable proliferation of this type of religion in our time.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I ask that You grant me wisdom and grace to detect and avoid a religion that does not reach into my heart, bringing the cleansing power of truth and spiritual perspective. Grant me this grace because of Jesus.

-- TOMORROW: SPIRITUAL RELIGION --