(Part 3)
“Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud.-Colossians 2:18
The final category of people that those who visit our churches don’t want to encounter are those who are super or hyper-spiritual. These are the people who believe (or at least give off the impression) that they are spiritually superior to others.
They know the Word and know how to manipulate it and bend it to meet their own needs while making others feel spiritually insignificant. They focus heavily, if not exclusively, on the message of grace. They rarely mention sin, repentance or holiness all while claiming to have a deeper connection to God than most.
Charisma magazine in July 2014 did an article describing the indicators of a hyper-spiritual person. Here a just a few:
1. They elevate dreams and visions to the same level and authority as the Word of God.
2. They have no real spiritual authority in their life.
3. The consistently seek recognition and the spotlight.
4. They often claim to be victims (Seeing everything as a spiritual attack and claiming to be misunderstood by others.)
5. Demonstrate a tendency to become harsh or judgmental.
The Apostle Paul recognized many of these same issues emerging in the church in Corinth. The church was being influenced by some of these super-spiritual leaders in 2 Corinthians 11:4-6:
“You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.”-2 Corinthians 11:4-6.
However, the super-spiritual are not the only ones creating havoc in many churches. We also have those that I refer to as Zany Christians.
1. These are individuals that constantly use Christian-ese that unbelievers don’t understand.
2. They see a demon in everything (except themselves)!
3. They think saying the sinners prayer with everyone saves the world (but offer no follow up or discipleship).
4. They think that wearing Christian t-shirts and putting bumper stickers on their cars is witnessing.
Every church is going to have a few peculiar people, but at the end of the day, people are just looking for authenticity and consistency. Live what you say!
Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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