Demonstrating Spirituality

Galatians 6:1-10

The night before they were to ship overseas during World War II, my dad and the rest of his platoon went out to a bar. A big guy in a marine uniform stood up and shouted “I’m a Marine, and I can whip any two soldiers here.”

A rather small soldier from Dad’s platoon, known as Junior, stood up and said he didn’t think so. The two of them went outside, and shortly the big marine came back in with a black eye and a bloody nose. “There’s a soldier out there that can whip any two marines here,“ he yelled.

The big marine wanted to be known as a big tough man, so he deliberately provoked a fight to get the attention. Many people in churches are trying to promote themselves. Several years ago, a pastor told a group of missionaries, “If you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will.” Down through the years, many Pastors and missionaries have spent a great deal of time promoting themselves and disparaging others. Some people accept their statements, but II Corinthians 10:18 tells us, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” The marine thought he was tough until he met a tougher man.

The pride that wants recognition leads to competition and conflicts, and jealousy among Christians. In one case, a pastor was having a mission conference, and took the missionaries out to eat. As they were returning to the church in two cars, one of the missionaries in the second car said, “That missionary up there is going to talk to that pastor and get all the money. Honk your horn and distract them.” When the driver refused, he lunged up over the seat and began pressing the horn himself.

III John 1:9-10 describes a similar problem. “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

That self serving attitude is evidence of an unspiritual man. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:25-26) Walking in the spirit, we will not judge others in an attempt to make our own position appear better, and we will forgive more easily. Church discipline will follow the standard in Matthew 18:15-17 completely. Restoration is the goal of scriptural discipline. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) We are not better, and are subject to the same temptations. How can we blame others for doing what we’ve done?


“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6:2-5)

The big marine I mentioned earlier was convinced that he didn’t need anyone, that he could do it alone. He wasn’t as tough as he thought. We ought to help each other where we can, and accept help when it is needed, not in pride rejecting it. Love is demonstrated by our concern for others, but we can never take away individual responsibility. Everyone needs to rejoice in their own efforts, rather than taking credit for those of others, as Paul instructs in II Corinthians 10:16. “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.”

Sharing blessings with those who teach you, whether in a physical way or verbally, is a way of encouraging them. It is really discouraging when no seems to benefit from the teaching. A Spiritual attitude is concerned about the needs of others, including those in charge. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (Galatians 6:6)

While works cannot accurately identify spirituality, they can be used to predict results. God will cause the results to fit the actions taken. He will not be fooled by pretense.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8) There is no way of concealing things from God. “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)

Sometimes our efforts seem fruitless. Sometimes, others do not express appreciation as they should. It is easy to get discouraged by things, but we are not to give up. Faith tells us that there will be a reward one day. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

Keep on serving God regardless of what happens. Paul experienced that tendency to discouragement himself, but recognized God’s faithful keeping of the record. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (II Timothy 1:12)

We can expect him to remember our efforts in the same way because he is a righteous God. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)