3 PRACTICES TO SORT OUT SPIRITUAL MISCONCEPTIONS
Let’s talk misconceptions. We have all had them.
As a child, you probably believed swallowing gum would live in your stomach for seven years. Or perhaps, you still believe that…
Regardless, as you grow and mature, different ideas you have construed in your mind as fact or fiction may change as you gain more knowledge and understanding of the world around you.
As a young adult, I had many misconceptions about spirituality. Most of my understandings of God and who I was in light of Him were formed through a few Christian influences, other people’s opinions, my feelings, and mainstream media (movies, TV shows, music, etc.).
Needless to say, when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the absolute truth of who God is from the Bible, I had a lot of work ahead of me to sort out what was fact and what was fiction about God and humanity. It was like I had a messy junk drawer in my head where I stored all my spiritual understandings. For the longest time, I was okay with that junk drawer, but suddenly, it seemed messy and chaotic and did not make sense. I could no longer ignore the oxymorons and lies that filled this section of my mind.
In time, God helped me remove all the pieces from that junk drawer, put containers in there, and lovingly helped me create a space full of beautifully organized truths. Now, when a lie attempts to clutter my drawer, it clearly does not belong and is sent to the trash.
The metaphor of a junk drawer is great and all, but you may be wondering what this process of discerning spiritual truth actually looks like.
Today, I want to encourage you to take three practical actions that will help you sort through your understanding of who God is, what His story is all about, and where you fit into that glorious story.
#1 Ask God
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5
How incredibly cool is that?? When you come humbly to God asking for His wisdom, He gives it GENEROUSLY. He does not withhold but gives it with great enthusiasm because He honors that request. Think back to the story of King Solomon, a young king who reigned after his father, David. God asked Solomon what gift he would like from Him, and Solomon responded to have “an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” (1 Kings 3:9) Solomon’s request for wisdom to lead God’s people rather than a proposal that was self-serving greatly pleased God, and He rewarded Solomon for it.
Is your greatest desire to know truth for the sake of loving God and loving others? If so, when you ask God for wisdom, He will give in abundance and help you grow in truth.
#2 Hear from God
If you ask God for understanding and wisdom, then it would only make sense that you would listen to Him.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Do you want to discern godly truth? Then read your Bible and hear from the maker of the universe. The Bible is the primary way God chooses to speak to His people. When you open and read from the Bible, you will experience life-change no matter how young or seasoned of an adult you are. Sometimes that change is jolting and immediate. Other times it is slower and less noticeable because it is steady and gradual, like a child growing in height before your eyes. The wisdom and truth acquired through your faithful reading and hearing of God’s Word will not go void. God is preparing you for good works by using the Bible. So, will you meet Him halfway and listen and obey?
PS: If you are new to reading the Bible, let me encourage you to begin reading one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), and as you read, stop and ask yourself the questions found in my free handouts.
#3 Be Involved with God’s People
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
The number one reason the Weight Watchers program has proven to be so successful is its pull toward community. We all are much better when we surround ourselves with people focused on a similar goal. If you desire to honestly know all of who God is and desire to discard the lies that have held you comfortably captive for so long, then you need others who are on the same journey.
Seek a church community that puts the Word of God first and does not jeopardize God’s standard for the cultures. When I say go to church, I don’t mean as a bystander or consumer. What I mean is to attend church and be an active member of God’s family. Family is messy at times, but it is in this family that God has chosen to be glorified. Linked arm in arm, it is through the church that we all will become more like Jesus. You need the church, and the church needs you.
Reflect and Connect
What are some misconceptions you had about God or Christianity?
How did you find out they were misconceptions?
How has prayer, reading the Bible, or being a part of a local church strengthened your understanding of what is true of God and the world?
