Avoiding Needless Spiritual Pressures: Know God for Yourself
Spirituality, for many, is a deeply personal journey, often shaped by the way individuals understand their faith and interact with the divine. As someone who approaches spirituality through a Christian lens, I have come to recognise the importance of establishing a personal, direct relationship with God. This relationship is not something that can be borrowed or solely shaped by others; it requires individual engagement, study, and reflection.
There is no doubt that learning from those who are spiritually ahead of us plays a key role in our own spiritual growth. Teachers, pastors, and leaders within the Christian community can guide us, providing insight from their experiences and understanding of Scripture. The Bible itself tells us in Ephesians 4:11-12 that God has given various gifts to the church, such as apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and the building up of the body of Christ. These leaders serve an essential purpose in guiding and mentoring believers.
However, while we should learn from others, it is vital to remember that we are responsible for our own faith and understanding. The Berean Christians, who are mentioned in Acts 17:11, offer a great example. They listened eagerly to the Apostle Paul’s teachings but did not accept them blindly. Instead, they "examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." This practice of verifying what we are taught is crucial. It encourages a personal, thoughtful approach to faith, which helps us to avoid deception.
Unfortunately, history has shown that some spiritual leaders have led people astray, manipulating them for their own gain. In recent years, we have seen reports of people being coerced into performing bizarre and dangerous practices under the guise of spiritual guidance. For example, some have been encouraged to eat grass, kiss snakes, or drink harmful substances as acts of faith or obedience. Tragically, some of these practices have led to physical harm or even death. Such occurrences highlight the importance of questioning what we are being taught and seeking to understand for ourselves what is truly consistent with God's word.
This is not to say that all spiritual leaders are harmful, nor is it to suggest that we should completely distrust those in positions of authority. Rather, it is a call to cultivate a deeper, personal understanding of God’s word and ways. By doing so, we can avoid the risk of being manipulated or misled. When we are personally grounded in the knowledge of God, we are more likely to recognise when something is not in alignment with His truth.
Outsourcing our knowledge of God to others can have serious consequences if those who are leading us are dishonest, ignorant, or simply not in alignment with biblical teachings themselves. We should remember that everyone, including spiritual leaders, is human and fallible. Just as we hold doctors, lawyers, and other professionals to high standards of training and ethical behaviour, we must also hold spiritual leaders to similar standards. It is essential to question teachings that seem out of line with Scripture and to seek clarification when we feel uncertain.
In the same way that a person wouldn't rely solely on the opinion of others about important life matters, we should not outsource our understanding of God to others. Our relationship with God is far too important to leave in the hands of someone else. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:12, urges believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," implying that this is a personal journey. Our faith must be based on our own understanding, and that understanding can only be developed through diligent study of God’s word and a personal relationship with Him.
John Stott, a well-respected Christian writer and theologian, once said, "The Bible is not to be read as if it were a manual of doctrine or a catalogue of rules and regulations, but as a revelation of God’s plan of salvation." This statement underlines the importance of engaging with Scripture, not just as a set of instructions, but as a means to know God and understand His will for our lives. When we take the time to read and reflect on the Bible ourselves, we are not just accumulating knowledge; we are entering into a deeper relationship with the Creator.
Knowing God for ourselves is essential in avoiding unnecessary spiritual pressures and potential harm. While learning from others is valuable, it should not replace our own responsibility to seek truth. A personal relationship with God allows us to discern His voice amid the noise of false teachings and harmful practices. We can build a resilient and authentic spirituality, one that leads us safely through life’s challenges and protects us from the dangers of deception, by ensuring that our faith is grounded in our own understanding of God’s word.
If you are aged from 18-40 years and you like the idea of belonging to a community of excellent and righteous young men or you are even above 40 and you’d like to be one of our mentors, feel very free to j.o.i.n. the Real Boys Forum (RBF) by c.l.i.c.k.i.n.g. on https://bit.ly/therbf.
#ejdansu #lwp #realboysforum #spirituality #spiritualpressure #knowgodforyourself #goodbye2024 #welcome2025