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Get Rid of Spiritual Legalism

“Two things we don’t do enough are reading the Bible and praying.”

This is the kind of statement a spiritual legalist would make. He or she would say, “You must read your Bible daily, remember your Bible verses, and practice memorization until you get it right. And you must pray continually, as the Scripture says in 1 Thessalonians.”

The spiritual realist would say, “Studying God’s Word and engaging in prayer are highly recommended activities for all disciples of Jesus.”

Do you choose the shades?

For the legalist there is the use of the words ‘must’ and ‘should’ and the specification of tangible measures ‘daily’ and ‘continually’ that enclose everyone; even those people who are not gifted or passionate readers or contemplative people.

But the realist sees what is useful – the Word of God and prayer – and leaves the details for the development of these two activities to the gift, heart, ability, personality and experience of the person involved.

Spiritual Discipleship That Is Most Useful

The worst thing we can do in our spiritual lives is to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit, but the best thing to do is fan those flames.

The flame of the Spirit is lit when we find our unique ways to connect with the Presence of God. With God we are in relationship. When people say that Jesus is their friend, they mean it. How can we experience a relationship with Jesus unless we know him? Our task is to explore it by connecting with God in any way we can.

When I first married my wife, I was surprised that she didn’t seem to read the Bible much or pray out loud. He used to say, “You must read your Bible and pray, every day!” She fell on deaf ears. Then, months later, the Holy Spirit challenged me: “Look, Steve, look at how Sarah connects with me through nature, through her photograph, and through people.”

That was a wake up call. I no longer judge another person’s devotional life; it is between them and God, but if anyone asks (perhaps if I am in the role of mentor), I will advise them that there are countless ways to journey with God into the realm of deep relationship.

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When we tell people that they “must” read their Bibles and that they “must” pray, we fall into the trap of spiritual legalism and God becomes “must.” But when we encourage people to investigate the living God through his Word and talk to him and listen honestly, God becomes “devotion.”

© 2014 SJ Wickham.

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