What Manner of spirit are you of?

It’s no secret that the Christian faith has splintered into thousands of denominations and sub-groups, each effectively saying God has shown them how to live and express their faith.

Beyond this, how people’s characters come across varies immensely, and this article will also look at that, particularly in this day where so many express themselves in ways that do not always represent God in them.

The original apostles tried to prevent schismatic conditions, instead advocating “unity of the spirit,” and so today – with us taking a pivotal phrase spoken by Jesus from Luke 9:55 – a core question is “what manner of spirit” are you of? Jesus asked this of a couple of his disciples who once spoke with ugly intent instead of mirroring the heart of God, and it’s a principle we’d do well to ponder.

The idea is: what effective spirit rules your life? What really comes out of you, and how do you come across to others? What is the true outflow of this effective “spirit” in your words, actions, and life? (And ultimately, how healthy is your relationship with God?)

Have you ever heard the computer term “garbage in, garbage out?” That metaphor can apply to humans. Much better would be life of God in, life of God out. The bottom line is what comes out of you is not what you say you stand for, but what you really are before God. Confusion, false theology, conditions leading to apostasy, and so much evil presented as OK in this society have made for some seriously mixed conditions – and results in people’ lives – so let’s touch on some of that …

One Faith, One Lord

We know God is not divided. He does not really contradict Himself. He does not actually give unqualified “peace” to His followers to accept one debatable subject that the spirit of another Jesus follower would be mortified to believe. God is pure, of one mind, and his divided children serve as a warning to any sincere follower of Jesus.

This is not to pick on any one group; just a word to the wise – you – who want more of the real Jesus, and want to accept no substitutes.

Of course it’s categorically impossible for everyone of differing viewpoints to be simultaneously “right” on often-contentious issues, but we will be judged by God on what we each do with the truth, and how we let it shape our lives and form our character.

 

Baskin Robbins Christianity – 31 (Thousand) Flavors

Because of such differing teachings today, while underlying fundamentals may be shared about Jesus, the result is Christians effectively come in different flavors, or brands. Pick the metaphor you like. This is not about semantics, but about the truth and it’s a warning for you, dear Christian.

It’s been estimated there are more than 31,000 “Christian” denominations and sub-groups. One count pegged the number at more than 33,800. Depending on how they’re counted it could be less but the point is there is a lot of disagreement in the “faith which was once delivered to all the saints” (Jude 1:3). But again, while this is appalling, we will only answer to God for what we each do with our own life. And, the best way to effect change is to let Jesus make your life shine with Himself.

As it is, the universally applicable question to all the different flavors of Christian is does the Holy Spirit truly and congruently rule one’s life? Jesus said we’d be known by our fruits. Even if we do disagree on some points, underlying all we say and do is the “manner of spirit” that we express which displays our heart in action, and what rules us.

 

Spiritual Litmus Test

How do we as individuals come across to people with whom we interact? How do people know us? Do people tend to say the fragrance of Jesus comes into the room when you are there? Or not so much?

When given the chance, what would you rather do – go watch a football game, party? … Go play, or shop, or be entertained? Do you struggle with lusts, anger, depression, and more? Or do you hunger and thirst, and want more of God? Do you wish you had more time to pray?

Beyond your motivations of heart, if you identify yourself as Christian, what is the effective spirit of your demeanor, and words and deeds? To be sure all people vary, but again, God identified this as a principle.

Every one of us has more to learn, more to see, but “where your treasure is, your heart will be also.” Do you treasure God, do you want a deeper relationship? Do you want to know Him better? Do you want to please Him, and be like Jesus within your realm of existence?

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. … For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:1-4; 8-10)

The apostle Paul wrote above just some of what a real Christian should be like, and he did not say this because it is not possible for ordinary Christians. It is quite possible, but only for those who are wholly given to God.

What manner of spirit are you of?

 

There are three factors in this life:

1) The pure Holy Spirit who may influence and shape us, and manifest the beautiful and wise character of Jesus. (The spirit of one born anew is united as one with Christ (1 Cor. 6:17), and it is from this spirit that we must flow).

2) Our flesh, which may alternately side with sin, or try to behave in a way we deem Christlike, or whatever we judge as being a Christian – or just a “good person” in general. (The flesh (“old man”) is along for the ride, and competes against the “new man.” (1 Cor. 7:14-25; Gal. 6:8).

3) The devil (evil spirits) who seek to work through the sin nature of the flesh, and will even attempt to pose as a guiding force to the “religious” minded person, and seek to subvert the pure work and way of God in our hearts and minds. (2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Tim 4:1).
 

Spirit mixed with flesh

At the extreme, Jesus at least twice rebuked the disciples for being mouthpieces for Satan. One was recorded in Matthew 16:23 where he said to Peter “get thee behind Me Satan,” when Peter famously urged Jesus to not go to the cross.

Following is another place illustrating the principle of this article’s title:

“But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”
Luke 9:53-55

What To Do

In today’s divided world, we would be wise to consider this before God, if we really want to serve God in holiness, and grow in grace. Obviously, James and John had a specific problem with indignant anger and desiring judgment. But beyond this one example, how many times, and in how many ways do we display a spirit that is not Jesus’ spirit?

This is more than just about becoming our “best self” in Christ. It’s not a mere morality lesson. No, it speaks to where we stand with God, for His Word promises if we obey Him, He has given us His Spirit, and He is well able to show His glory in us – at all stages of growth. Even a baby Christian, while also making mistakes, will have the Spirit of Jesus showing forth with new life.

So where does the different “spirit” come in? It has to do with the second and third of the three factors listed above. As human beings, we have “this treasure in an earthen vessel” and if we have not learned how to walk in the Spirit, we will manifest our earthly soul not our clean spirit. And, evil spirits would like to aid and abet fleshly, ungodly expressions.

Effectively, if we do not know how to walk in Jesus’ Spirit, we will be mixed, impure — part flesh, part spirit, and we will be divided as we give off impure fruit, and impart an impure fragrance of spirit to those around us.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? …”
2 Corinthians 2:14-16

If the fragrance we give off is not of the life of Jesus, again, we’d do well to seek God. It is the soul of man that is the culprit and God has the remedy – indeed He’s already given it. The fleshly soul, the old man, is supposed to be crucified – buried, inactive and not in command of your being. The remedy is seeking from God the truth that may set us free.

Here is a verse Paul spoke to the worldly – yet spiritually gifted – Corinthians:

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1

It is possible, the apostle says, to have “filthiness” of spirit. Not only overt filthiness – such as lewdness, lustful ways, or evil, hating, selfish mindsets – but anything in us shaping our walk that is not of God is not pleasing to Him.

God who says “be holy for I am holy” desires a spotless virgin bride, and she must make herself ready in believing her Bridegroom. He has given her a fully capable cleaning kit, and all power and instruction to use them.

Praise God. Christianity is discipleship before the Lord. Do you want more of Jesus? Then seek Him in prayer, and ask Him to purify what manner of spirit you are of.

Amen.