Article: SPIRITUAL STAGNANCY | Leny Shibu, Ireland

Being stagnant is the worst feeling ever. Imagine you are assigned a job in the company and you stay for ever in same position with same kind of work. Doesn’t that sound boring. It surely does. Every human being expects for something greater, be it in their career or personal life. People press on to that goal to not remain stagnant instead flourishing in every aspect of life.

Similarly, God expects believers to reach greater heights with regards to Spirituality. Because, the calling itself, is greatest with imperishable treasures, spiritual gifts and transformation to Christ character as well.

Sadly, we don’t see that much happening in believers life. Instead they do have treasures to list on but all are earthly and perishing. The so called spirituality that a believer holds is an act to make belief others they are spiritual but inwardly are ravenous wolves. The wolf symbolizes self righteousness.

Being stagnant in life is visible but being stagnant in spiritual life is invisible. A believer has to examine his or her faith almost everyday if its in line with the word of God. However, what could even cause spiritual life to be stagnant? Let’s examine our life for reasons that cause spiritual stagnancy.

God chose and called us to be partakers of His divine nature. It starts by building relationship with Jesus Christ through personal prayer as said in Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Unfortunately, believers who are not consistent in personal prayers, eventually become stagnant in spiritual life. The danger involved in this is the believer won’t even realize he or she has become motionless spiritually.

God set apart us to bring into His Holiness. To experience perfect love with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. As the word says “Be Holy for I am Holy”. Certain situations creep into our life and create bitterness and unforgiveness. If you don’t let the Holy Spirit to cleanse or circumcise your bitterness and unforgiveness, that could hinder your spiritual growth. Hebrews 12:14 says, Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. If the above mentioned factors remained in heart for long, slowly will end up in spiritual stagnancy.

God blessed us to be co-heir of His son Jesus Christ. As well as gave an advocate which is the Holy Spirit to guide and transform into Christ character.Firstly, 1 John 2:27 says, But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. Once we receive the Holy Spirit, He is mighty to teach us every biblical details. Relying on men is simply rejecting guidance from the Holy Spirit. Secondly, 1 Timothy 2:5 says, For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

As a beginner, we might need spiritual mentor to help us understand the word of God but sooner or later relying completely in Holy Spirit is what God likes us to practice in life. Seeking prophets to hear from the God is similar to making him as the mediator between the seeker and Christ which is Spiritual Adultery. Spiritual Adultery includes any form of idolatry. In the Old Testament children of Israel tried to mix the worship of other gods such as Baal with that of God, Judges 3:7 says, And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
As well as in Hosea 5:3 says, I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore; Israel is defiled. Be mindful, we are betrothed to Christ, not to any human being. Trusting any human to receive word from God is similar to playing whore. This is a greater sin in the sight of the Lord. Ultimately, spiritual stagnancy occurs.

Mark 4:19 says, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. One of the deadliest reasons for becoming stagnant spiritually is overthinking about tomorrow. We say Lord is our provider, He is our refuge and fortress and parallel to it we do everything according to human tradition and worldly standards to secure our tomorrow. Colossians 2:8 says, See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Those teaching comes from the world, not from the Father above. As well as, such learnings never take us closer to Christ instead we get confirmed more to this perishable world. God sees such worship as mentioned in, Matthew 15:8- This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Like a lost sheep, we wander for things that doesn’t edify us. Repentance is the only way to Return.

God called us to transform our character to Christ character. Lord sanctifies us daily because His mercies are new every morning. It all works through faith alone. No amount of works could please Him. 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. To receive and obey His sanctification process is what Lord delighted in rather than infinite works which is filthy rags in the sight of the Lord. Psalm 51:17 says, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Our sacrifices are nothing compared to Christ did on the cross for sinners. Christ displayed perfect love on the cross without expecting anything in return.

Not working your faith to in dwell Christ in you, rather engaging in activities related to church results in spiritual stagnancy. God is not interested in man-made buildings, instead He is looking to build a temple made by His hands and dwell in it, which is our body.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, through His love we have been blessed that pertains to life and godliness. Exercise faith in such a way that every word in the Bible springs life in us. Knowing word of God is not enough, understanding word of God by practical living through faith is necessary to bring the outcome in spiritual growth. Let’s not be stagnant spiritually, instead run a good race of faith to attain complete Christ dwelling in us. Amen!

Leny Shibu, Ireland

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