Too christian?

[Sharky]

Is it possible for someone to become so super spiritual that they lose focus on God?

That's one question that still gets to me often and i've seen a little too much of it already. There's a book which i forgot the author talking about such things. That demons will be happy that you were on either ends of the scales of christianity. One end, is unbelief, deprification to sin etc. The other end is ultra spiritualness that you even forget God's blessings. EG, a couple have lost a child all because they wouldn't take him to the doctor because they believed that God will heal the child miraculously.

Now this is where the lukewarm part comes in and i'm having trouble seeing where lukewarm is here. Technically if lukewarm is in between, then that would mean that this family was hot for God and we as 'normal' christians would be lukewarm or in between. This is probably in the wrong context because there's some things wrong here but i'd like some thoughts if it's possible to be too christian?

 

[wonder111]

absolutely! IMO, it's very possible, and I've seen it happen. Actually, I wouldn't say too spiritual, I would say too religious. It sounds strange, but I've noticed when one is stuck on learning and the history of events, rather than the personal relationship with God, that love is sometimes lost. In my own experience, I have had to take a 'world fast' for awhile and spend a long time alone just to get back my relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. Then, I can continue my life with Him in my heart and not just my head

 

[TCapp]

I would say that lukewarm means indifferent, not "in between" per se. I would say that being "in between" obsession and unbelief is simply a balanced view, not lukewarm.

I've seen something along these lines in one of my study books. There are two mistakes folks can make about the spiritual realm (good or evil, but probably mostly evil). One is to ignore it, the other is to get really carried away with it.

I'm not too sure about being too "spiritual", but I agree one can get too concerned with religion. It makes me think of those who practice "churchianity" rather than Christianity. Or Pharisees.

It depends on motives, I would say. Are you trying to "cop a feel" of some kind, or are you truly trying to worship and love God with all your heart, mind, soul and so on? I think there's nothing wrong with the latter. And if you lose yourself in the moment on occasion, that's probably not wrong either. But that should not be the goal.

I hope that's coherent.

 

[wonder111]

that's good Tcapp, so true! There is definitely no such thing as loving God and other people too much. It's the 'churchianity' thing that can be a problem

 

[Paula]

Is it possible for someone to become so super spiritual that they lose focus on God?

Yes, it happens all the time. It's so easy to get distracted by unimportant, trivial things in our lives, and that's how we lose our focus. Although having our own personal salvation is very important, we should also strive to bring hope and joy to others as well.

We need more of Him, and less of us.

 

[Svt4Him]

I don't believe someone can become so heavenly minded they're no earthly good, but I do believe some can call presumption faith.

 

[Sharky]

interesting responses. Yes i shoulda put in too religious not spiritual.

 

[jbarcher]

I would also say that one can be too 'religious', like doing the do, but not too spiritual. (Is that possible? Being 'too' spiritual?) This is what I'm thinking...

Some people lose focus of what they should do with attitude--place themselves under God, be subject to Him--and instead try to be 'spiritual'. Although being spiritual...uh...I suppose people get the modern idea of "spiritual" which really is along the lines of being "religious" mixed up with humility of sorts.

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

People can be too religious or too pious. That's what upsets me the most when people address me as "religious" or "you've got religion". People can be religious about how many times they comb their hair. I'm not religious, I'm spiritual, and I don' have religion, I have Jesus.

So in light of that, it's definitely possible to be too religious, but I doubt too spiritual that you lose focus of God. I mean you can't be spiritual in a sense unless you are seeking God's face and abiding in His will and I doubt their can ever be too much of that.

 

[tinkerbell]

Is it possible for someone to become so super spiritual that they lose focus on God?

That's one question that still gets to me often and i've seen a little too much of it already. There's a book which i forgot the author talking about such things. That demons will be happy that you were on either ends of the scales of christianity. One end, is unbelief, deprification to sin etc. The other end is ultra spiritualness that you even forget God's blessings. EG, a couple have lost a child all because they wouldn't take him to the doctor because they believed that God will heal the child miraculously.

Now this is where the lukewarm part comes in and i'm having trouble seeing where lukewarm is here. Technically if lukewarm is in between, then that would mean that this family was hot for God and we as 'normal' christians would be lukewarm or in between. This is probably in the wrong context because there's some things wrong here but i'd like some thoughts if it's possible to be too christian?

I think a lot of times when "christians" become that Christian, they are no longer living for God. It can be compared to the Pharasies and the Sadusees (sorry about the spelling). They were the "most spiritual", yet they really weren't at all. They were lukewarm, they wanted the benefits of God without the devotion. They also wanted to bring attention to themselves rather than pointing people to the KING. Both of the extreems on the continuim that you mention fail to have Christ as the center. If you are truely seeking Christ and deeply desire to have Him the center of your life, He will reveal to you what true Christianity - un-lukewarm is all about. You just have to have an open heart and be willing to follow His will no matter what it is.

 

[Dr. KJV1611]

We should desire to draw as near to God in our relationship as we can. However, I have found that externally we could become so busy on our Christian duties that we do lose focus of Christ and thus begin to serve God out of formalistic routine rather than love and desire to please God.

 

[tinkerbell]

We should desire to draw as near to God in our relationship as we can. However, I have found that externally we could become so busy on our Christian duties that we do lose focus of Christ and thus begin to serve God out of formalistic routine rather than love and desire to please God.

nicely put

 

[seebs]

Too much -ianity, too little Christ. It's not about ritual purity, it's about being like Jesus. He spent a lot of time letting people think He was ritually impure, and disobedient, because He was doing the things that mattered. A good example to follow, I think.

 

[Inspired]

I think a lot of times when "christians" become that Christian, they are no longer living for God. It can be compared to the Pharasies and the Sadusees (sorry about the spelling). They were the "most spiritual", yet they really weren't at all. They were lukewarm, they wanted the benefits of God without the devotion. They also wanted to bring attention to themselves rather than pointing people to the KING. Both of the extreems on the continuim that you mention fail to have Christ as the center. If you are truely seeking Christ and deeply desire to have Him the center of your life, He will reveal to you what true Christianity - un-lukewarm is all about. You just have to have an open heart and be willing to follow His will no matter what it is.

I agree. Some people spend more time on pointing out just how Christian they are and how not someone else is, which just doesn't seem all that Christian to me.
Point them to Him, He can speak for Himself. If they get lost, give them the roadmap.

 

[Icystwolf]

I don't like the question at all....theres no degrees in Christianity, no levels of measure. Otherwise we'd all be measuring each other by what we've done, what we've learnt and how much wisdom is in all....but that not what Christianity is about.

The Bible makes it clear, if your a Christian then your a Christian, otherwise your not.

Remember, we're discussing doctrine and not forum rules.

And besides, I never really trusted any other Christian books that attempt to prove the Bible and social implications..it's more often bias.....I choose the Bible anyday.

As a Christian, you must show you are chosen by God, not chosen by the world for God....there is a huge difference there....because then you'll get extremeists like the lebanese Christians, or lukewarm Christians that use culture to disprove the Bible......

In Spiritual, you're either a Christian or your not....fullstop!

 

[tinkerbell]

I don't like the question at all....theres no degrees in Christianity, no levels of measure. Otherwise we'd all be measuring each other by what we've done, what we've learnt and how much wisdom is in all....but that not what Christianity is about.

Exactly - that's what the verse is trying to say - there is no partial Christian.

 

[Joshua Howard]

Under the tag of Christianity, some become rather like the religious men who travelled on by the dying man in the parable of the good samaritan. They are dedicated to God so much that they forget to live their lives on earth. Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth, but neverthless, do live! Faith without works are dead, and if someone becomes so pious that they neglect to have any works, good or bad, they themselves become dead.
We must remember that, though we are headed on toward another domain, this earth and our surroundings were created by God for our use and benefit. We relate to the world around us, not to heaven. Behold, now we look through a glass darkly, but one day we will see all things. We must keep our eyes on the prize, but nevertheless, we must not forget to attend to the matters that we all must face in this earthly life.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

 

[Icystwolf]

Exactly - that's what the verse is trying to say - there is no partial Christian.

It's funny how some Christians, inparticular the Liberals, measure the fundamentalists using a worldly measuring rod... and to judge a Christian via worldly standards....

So it's like, oh you're against this subject and this world is against Christianity because of what you believe, hence Jesus would look down on you for that!

 

[WanderingMagi]

True spirituality, holiness is focus on God. Anything else is no more Christian than the spiritual expereince of other religions - probably extremely dangerous.

WanderingMagi

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Is it possible for someone to become so super spiritual that they lose focus on God?

I think people get to religious and dogmatic. But not "spiritual"... not by my understanding of the word.