Messy Spirituality?
Exploring the Right Narrative of Christian Spirituality.
In our contemporary global Christian context, we may encounter the perspective of "Messy Spirituality" (Mike Yaconelli, Book Title). This perspective suggests that sinful lifestyles are an ongoing part of Christian life until believers are completely glorified in their new heavenly bodies. But would this perspective of Messy Spirituality be the right narrative to accept in our Earthly Spirituality? Would it be spiritually right to keep living under the bondages of ongoing sinfulness or addictions without recognizing the need to break those patterns? Shouldn't we work out our salvation (Phil 2:12 ESV) by breaking the wrong sinful patterns inherited from our old sinful nature?
Certainly, we can feel discouraged, and we may then quit our Sanctifying pursuit. Especially when we feel defeated by our sin and when we surrender to the idea of Messy Spirituality. This can make us feel hopeless about resetting our spirituality. Some Christians may not be concerned about pursuing God holistically. They might defend their sinful struggles, seeing the flesh as a weak vessel. Some Christians may be extreme and strongly rebel against God's moral values. For such individuals, Paul issues a red flag “You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh" (1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV). Paul would not have enjoyed making this arduous decision, but allowing such a person with their messy lifestyle to be accepted could defile the entire atmosphere of the church. This pertains to someone who shows no evidence of repentance and has been enjoying their sinful living to the extreme.
George Orwell, a novelist and one of the most influential and intriguing writers, highlighted the desolation of a self-centred, unholy lifestyle in a story he unpacked. “He described a wasp that was sucking jam from his plate. Orwell cut the wasp in half. The wasp just kept sucking the sweet jam from the plate as it poured out the other end of his severed esophagus. Like the wasp, unholy living sucks on God’s creation and never knows real satisfaction. Because there is no real “soul fulfilment,” the world’s enjoyment and passion will finally ebb.” [1]
Therefore, we need to comprehend that the Christian life must be lived with caution. Going along with the cultural flow can lead to great darkness and eventually the destruction of an individual. Erickson quotes from Galatians 6:7-8 to explain that “punishment follows automatically from the sinful act.” [2]
In the Christian faith journey, we would often need to pause and reflect consistently if there’s a need for Resetting Spirituality. Inviting the Holy Spirit with a prayer would be the key. Then confessing that it’s not about living in the flesh but by the Spirit of the Lord. It’s also crucial to point out that when discussing Messy Spirituality, the intention is not to beat down anyone struggling with sin. The purpose here is to set up the right narrative for our Christian Spirituality and counter the false notion of Messy Spirituality. It’s about aiding the people of God with the truth and saving them from the evil schemes of the enemy. Therefore, when discussing Resetting Spirituality, we should be encouraged. Because the aim is for no one to quit on their Sanctifying pursuit. Anyone can reset their spirituality.
Here are some Bible verses that can encourage us to reset our Spirituality;
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again.” (Pro24:16 ESV)
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isa 1:8)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19)
Now, let’s delve into the question of what Messy Spirituality looks like and what we need to repent from. We will also briefly look into Jesus’ and Paul’s perspectives on the right narrative of Christian Spirituality.
Sinful issues of our contemporary context that can lead to the destruction of the flesh;
Pride in life is the biggest struggle that most people would face and confess. Certainly, it is not spiritually healthy to live in this sinful pride. It’s contrary to the scriptures. God hates pride and there are consequences “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil.” (Pro 8:13 ESV)
Pornography is a serious issue that is negatively “rewiring the whole generation. Worse among the younger generation and leads Christian individuals to live their lives with lack of Christian commitment” [3] Jesus in His teachings in Matthew 5:28 addressed this issue of visual lust, “who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Adultery: is a destructive sinful issue that is related to, “a man who has sexual relations with another man’s wife. Not just with a focus on sexual attraction as such, but on the desire for an illicit sexual liaison…you shall not covet for your neighbour's wife.” [4]
Fornication: is a sinful habit that compels a man to lead a “woman into the sexual union without a covenantal bond is preaching to her, to the world, and himself a different gospel from the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he is forming a real spiritual union, the Apostle Paul warns, but one with a different spirit than the Spirit of Christ.” [5] “Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never.” (1Cor 6:15) . On the other hand, there are some other issues often evident in the Christian context which the Apostle Paul would highlight in his days of church ministry. These include homosexuality, selfishness, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envy, drunkenness, revelling, and gossip. (Rom 1:26-27, Gal 5:19-21 and 1 Tim 5:13)
There can be many more sinful issues that can be highlighted; however, the point here is not to rank or give priority to any kind of sin. Most importantly, the issue here is about not accepting the false narrative to live out our Christian Spiritual life. Because when we confess Christ as our Lord, we repent from our old nature of sins. Additionally, we commit ourselves to walk in the fear of the Lord, and we are then called to put on the Holistic ways of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we can be transformed into His likeness and His image “You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do” (Eph 4:17 ESV).
Jesus’ Perspective on Christian Spirituality: During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus himself said and summarized His teachings by commanding that “you therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48 ESV). R.T. France explains that “it's an inspiration that is not taken from the norm of society but from the character of God” [6]. It is a call towards having total loyalty to God (Deuteronomy 18:13).
Like in the story of the rich young man, the man could have shown a higher level of commitment to Jesus, (or perfection), if he had sold his possessions as instructed, rather than just merely keeping the commandments. [7] R.T. France would give these teachings a suitable term - greater righteousness. This is not expected from the upper echelon of the spiritual elite but from each one of those who belong to the Kingdom of God.[8]
Pauline Perspective on Christian Spirituality: According to the Apostle Paul, the Church must live in Holiness, and he wants the believers to refrain from the impure sinful things of life and live in sanctification, “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thess 4:3 ESV). The “will of God” here should be understood as contrary to the passionate lust of heathens and “sanctification” here should be understood as a process that begins with conversion and is made a living reality through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Victory over Sin: Paul is no exception because he also understood the concept of Messy Spirituality, like most of us. “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom 7:19). However, this doesn’t mean that the Apostle Paul ended his doctrinal teachings on Christian life on the notion of Messy Spirituality.
In Romans 8:12-13 Paul gave the victorious explanation over the power of sin by the working power of the Holy Spirit, that is through Christ Jesus. This power from the Holy Spirit makes the children of God more than conquerors “So, then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” John Stott explains that the text here draws our attention to the topic of mortification which should not be neglected. Stott also explains that in the work of mortification, we are not passive, waiting for it to be done for us. Yes, the power of the Holy Spirit enables an individual with the desire, determination, and discipline to reject evil. However, it is we who should take the responsibility to act against the evil deeds of the flesh. [9]
Law of life: There is no doubt that the work of the Spirit will help us to live victoriously over our sinful nature. But we must bring our sinful battle to the Holy Spirit.
F.F. Bruce explains that “Christ dwells in them by the spirit and his spirit infuses into them a new principle – the law of life – which is stronger than indwelling sin and sets them free from its tyranny.” So, Bruce explains that when an individual makes his efforts by relying on his resources, he fights a losing battle; however, if he takes himself to the resources and power that are in Christ Jesus, he will be more than a conqueror. [10]
Again, the purpose here is not to smack down anyone who struggles with sinful addictions that are damaging. But it’s about setting up the right narrative for our Christian Spirituality. Questing for a Holy living! Becoming more like God. Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1Pet 1:16). The goal of Christian life. That comes with many blessings “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (Ps 1:1). So, if someone is messed up, they can press the reset button for their spirituality with confidence in the blood of Jesus that covers every sin.
Refrences
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, 557
R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, Grand Rapids, 204
Russell D. Mooren, Ted Shimer, Porn Is Rewiring a Whole Generation, Christians Included
R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, Grand Rapids, 228
Ibid, 228
Ibid, 229
John Stott, Reading Romans, Downers Grove, 131
F.F Bruce, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, Grand Rapids. 149
