Some Super Spiritual Ideas You Can Question

A platitude is defined as "a remark or statement, esp. one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful." Over my years as a Christian from time to time I hear certain platitudes spoken which sound very wise but can lead people in a direction that is contrary to the one laid out in the word of God. I'm talking about words that are not taken from the Bible at all, but are quoted in ministry contexts as if they were the most high and holy form of wisdom that mature believers know.

Some of these platitudes have an element of truth, and because they do, its not always easy to target the error.

Here is one example: "We should just BE, we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS".

Where in the Bible do we see any statement that sounds like this?

It is true for example that we do not DO good works in order to make ourselves BE a child of God. It is also true that God is more interested in the heart than in the outward actions and appearances. It is also true that fretful and anxious activism is not the way of the Kingdom. So as I say there are elements of truth within the platitudes. But the same words can also lead people into error. Let me explain.

The problem with this statement is that Jesus commands us to "DO God's will", to "KEEP His commandments". The idea that it is possible to "just BE" implies subtly that we can "BE a Christian pleasing to God" without doing ANYTHING in response to His Word and the promptings of His Spirit. For some, what I am saying will sound like utter heresy, but its only because we have been so well programmed with theological ideas on Grace which run counter to much of the New Testament Record.

Just look at what Jesus said to His disciples:

"This is to my Father's glory – that you bear much fruit; SO shall you BE My disciples" (John 15:8).

The way to be a disciple of Christ is to abide in Jesus. But is this to be done merely with sweet meditations and by sitting around passively all day? What did Jesus say:

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:10)

Jesus gave commandments which touch both the inner life and the outer life. These commandments involve things that we have to DO. An example of something touching the inner life is the commandment to "FORGIVE" when we pray, if we have anything against anyone. This means giving up the right to expect reimbursement, even apologies, from those who have wronged us. But Jesus also gave commandments touching the outer life. Concerning the Good Samaritan he told us "Go and do likewise". The true meaning of love cannot be found outside of practical action taken to benefit those who have been hurt and damaged in life. Another commandment Jesus gave us is to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel". If you can't go, send a substitute. This will cost you in CASH.

All these "lovey-dovey" ideas about Jesus are a misrepresentation of what He is really about.

Jesus showed in word and deed that He came to destroy the works of the devil.

This meant getting out amongst the people and healing them, teaching them and feeding them. It meant saying "No" to personal comfort many, many times – getting up early to pray, or praying all night, or fasting, or exposing oneself to situations in which the help of God the Father was necessary.

Honestly, if you don't want to be useful in God's Kingdom, by following the example of Jesus in helping people get free of Satan's oppression and its effects, at least don't stand in the way of progress by mouthing off sweet little platitudes about how God doesn't really care if we are DOING these things or not – he JUST wants us to "BE".

Think for a moment about the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. The Master told the servants, "Do business until I come." This means: the Master is expecting us to DO something with what He has entrusted us. He is expecting a Return on Investment. But one of the servants of the master was AFRAID, and the only thing he did was bury his talent. The Bible says that this guy WAS a servant of the Master. In that sense he "already was", he was "being". But he wasn't DOING the Will of the Father, and the Master wasn't happy with him, and he ended up being thrown into Hell.

All the Radical Grace teachings in the world are not going to save "WICKED LAZY SERVANTS" on the Day of Judgment. Be warned, Jesus is NOT a liar. If we substitute the platitudes of men for the Word of the Lord clearly given to us in the gospels, we are in GREAT DANGER.

So please, as much as it is wonderful to wait and rest in the Lord's presence, and as much as we need to do this, do NOT be content to leave it at that. As soon as you are able, get out into the real battlefield and get to work destroying Satan's works in Jesus' name. But if you won't do this, because you think are called to BE more spiritual than those that do, at least shut your mouth and do not hinder those who are out there in the harvest field dealing with people and demonic spirits.

Michael Fackerell