In our post-modern culture today, the spiritual realities spoken about consistently in the Bible are often not taken seriously. We can be guilty of thinking we know better than to consider that reality has a spiritual dimension. C.S. Lewis famously referred to this phenomenon as “chronological snobbery.” As Christ’s followers, we know that there is a heavenly realm and a spiritual aspect of our lives far beyond what we can touch and see.

The Apostle Paul, when he authored 1 Corinthians, was dealing with a very different reality than our current day. The people he was addressing understood and believed that all of life had a spiritual dimension. They thought they knew all about spirituality. Yet, Paul tells them, “I do not want you to be ignorant…”  Why? Because unless their spirituality leads them to Jesus and is focused on proclaiming Jesus as Lord, it is not from the Holy Spirit. As Paul says in verse 3: Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Here in the greater Conejo Valley, sometimes people talk about a vague, general “spirituality” that does not mention Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Word of God. This is spiritually dangerous and can lead us astray.

Today: How do you talk about spirituality with nonbelievers? Ask God to help you communicate clearly about Jesus as Lord over all dimensions of life, including the spiritual.