Meaning
What is everyone talking about? All these words … Mostly, I’m referring to all the words and phrases used in reference to experiencing God. Things like “walk in the Spirit” or “let God work through you” … I just can’t connect the phrases to the action they are referring to.
If you said, “Go, walk the dog” I would know exactly what to do and who to do it to. But if you said, “Let God love through you” I would find it hard to know what to do next.
Now, I’m not questioning the people who say these things. I’m not questioning whether they associate an action with what they are saying. I’m simply saying that I don’t know how to process the words they are saying.
I guess all I can do is not say phrases that aren’t associated with something actual in my life. And when I hear a phrase I don’t understand, I’ll ask for more details on what it means to the person saying it.
I imagine people might think I’m just being annoying… but truly, I’m just trying to understand.
tom 11:13 am on June 27th Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think a lot of the phrases come from biblical statements like, “live by the Spirit” in galatians. or the idea of being the body of Christ to the world and loving others as he would.
Another big one is Col. 1:27- “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” but Paul calls this a MYSTERY, not so much an action or a feeling. Christianeese is an interesting language and if you dont know you could easily say the wrong thing at work.
you can borrow my Christianeese For Dummies book if you want to
Sean 1:36 pm on June 27th Permalink | Log in to Reply
Admitting you do not understand is a good first step towards the pursuit of truth. It is the way of humility and dependance (2 unheralded values in this American culture).
You are not alone. I believe your lack of understanding of such phrases is common to many Christians today, a reflection of the disconnect between leader and layity. I think it is due to lack of discipleship and one on one training along the lines of “follow me even as I follow Christ”.
These phrases describe various aspects of a “pattern” or “way” of living that would have been modelled and taught to christians in the first century. Paul modeled Christ’s way of living to the churches…and his letters call attention to that model when correcting or reminding. Paul would have taught them what it meant to “put on the new self”, or “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Sprit”. PHIL 4:9 (and many others)
We should be able to point back to our fathers (most desirable), mentors (next best), or someone else who taught us to:
- walk by faith not by sight
- “walk”, “pray”, or “worship” in the Spirit
- fight with weapons not fashioned by human hands
- put on the full armor of God
- have the fullness of Christ dwell within
Like many others, unfortunately no one filled this role in my youth. But praise to God for He promises to be faithful where men have failed, to see that the shepherding (mentoring and guiding) gets done.
EZEKIEL 34:11-15
Sean
Etetrysew 6:27 pm on December 5th Permalink | Log in to Reply
mm.. thank you man