Walking By The Spirit
WALKING BY THE SPIRIT: EMBRACING THE WEIRD
Have you ever been misunderstood? If you’ve played Chinese Whispers, you’ll know that communication isn’t always perfect… sometimes with hilarious results. Take the following for example:
1 Corinthians 2:15 says ‘We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can’t understand us at all.’
As Christians, we are called to live a life that aligns with the teachings of Jesus. This often means making decisions that may not be understood or accepted by the culture around us. In 1 Corinthians 2:15, the apostle Paul addresses this very idea, highlighting that when we walk by the Spirit, we won’t be fully understood by the world.
Adrian Rogers sums up this passage by observing that ‘The spiritual man walking with divine illumination will be a mystery to those about him.’
When we walk by the Spirit, we make choices that may seem counterintuitive to those around us. Decisions involving sacrificial acts of love, forgiveness, or self-control, might be perceived by the world as weakness at best, or weird at worst!
Forgiveness is weird:
Suppose someone offends / betrays you… The cultural norm dictates cancellation, revenge or holding grudges, but walking by the Spirit means you forgive and extend grace. This act of forgiveness may be perceived as weakness by others, but it reflects the transformative power of God’s love & forgiveness in our own lives.
Generosity is weird:
In 2006, research conducted by the Henley Centre demonstrated that, ‘for the first time in 10 years, most Britons believe the good life is built on looking after their own interests.’ This highlighted that, within secular western society, the narrative had changed from pursuing the collective good to promoting the individual’s sovereignty and wellbeing above all else.
Contrary to a society that values individualism, self-preservation and material accumulation, the Christian walk emphasizes generosity, compassion and empathy. The world may see generosity as a hindrance to personal progress or prosperity. However, as we follow Christ’s example, we realize that true fulfilment comes from serving others and embracing the virtues of humility and generosity.
Holiness is weird:
Living according to the Spirit involves pursuing holiness and righteousness. This journey often calls us to make decisions that set us apart from the world’s standard of morality. For example, in a culture that elevates romantic relationships and promotes sexual freedom, choosing to maintain sexual purity stands out as unconventional and out-dated. However, this commitment reflects our desire to honour God with both our singleness and marriage.
Challenge:
So the challenge is… Are we walking by the Spirit, or by the patterns of the world? Are we living normal lives, guided solely by cultural expectations, or are we daring to be different, allowing the Spirit to lead us into uncharted territories? Are we willing to step outside our comfort zones to embrace the extraordinary, weird, calling of a Spirit-led life?
Be encouraged, being misunderstood by the world may be a sign that we’re on the right path:
Jesus said: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)
As we follow the Spirit, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps. As Christians, we are called to live differently – to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit within us. This means making decisions that might not align with cultural norms; they might be misunderstood and considered weird… but when we choose to walk by the Spirit, we demonstrate the light of God to a dark world.
So, let’s walk by the Spirit and embrace the weird and wonderful path he has for us.
Ps Amy Jorden