Too Spiritual for Their Own Good

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So Gifted, They Are Disobedient

1 Cor. 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1. Obedience Prove Spirituality (to the scriptures, to God-appointed leaders)

2. They Reframe scriptures in their own eyes, but should rather just obey

3. They Reject/Question Leadership, but should rather submit.

So Knowledgeable, They Disregard Others

1 Cor. 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

1 Cor. 8:9-13But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1. Do as they please and hurt the faith of others

2. Can afford a mansion, but does not consider how it affect others

3. Can drink a little alcohol, but will it weaken a brother?

So Theological, They Devise Own Doctrine

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Senator Warnock tweet that was deleted: “The meaning of Easter is more transcendent than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you are Christian or not, through a commitment to helping others we are able to save ourselves.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/04/05/raphael-warnock-deletes-tweet-easter-resurrection-jeremiah-wright/

Nichole Phillips, director of the Black Church Studies Program at Emory University “The reality is that not all Christian traditions have the same interpretation and understanding of Christ’s sacrifice or resurrection,” she said. “All Christian traditions don’t necessarily celebrate or recognize Jesus’ sacrifice or martyrdom as a precursor to their own rebirth.”

1. Our Theology should not go beyond God’s Word

2. It’s important to embrace the foundational teaching of Christianity

3. Christianity that downplays Christ's death and resurrection is not Christianity at all.

So Charismatic, Yet They Impact Nobody’s Life

1 Cor. 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1. Being gifted and outgoing does not mean you will impact others. Love is necessary. Love means obeying God’s word, and showing compassion for others.

2. Just because you can give “powerful revelations”, move a crowd in your preaching, and praise God louder than anyone else does not mean you are having an impact on anyone’s life. Your gifts and talents impact others when they operate through love.

3. Love means not being easily offended, enduring all things, seeking the good of others. It means not being all about yourself but all about ministering to others. Make sure your charisma is having an impact on others by walking in love.

So Wise, They Argue With Everybody

James 3:13-17 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

1. Constantly trying to “win” the argument in every dispute shows a lack of heavenly wisdom.

2. Mercy, forgiveness, and compassion often win over trying to convince others of your “wisdom” on the matter. Sharing your wisdom should b done out of love and humility.

3. In a relationship, like marriage, taking the wrong and apologizing does much good over winning the argument.

So Powerful, They Put Down Others

2 Cor. 10:12-13 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you

1. Be careful of commending yourself and making yourself significant. A truly powerful person doesn’t need to announce it or push it on others.

2. Comparing your “level of anointing” with others is foolish at best. God has no respect for those who compete with others over power.

3. Let God be the judge of yourselves and others. Follow His standard.

So Mature, They Divide

1 Cor 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

1. The inability to work in cooperation with the leaders and workers in your local church may be a sure sign of your immaturity.

2. If you are always having quarrels and disputes with others, you may be the problem. Check yourself and grow in the Lord.

3. A sign of maturity is the ability to work with people of diverse personalities and backgrounds. If you cannot work in the kingdom of God with someone else because you don’t “like” them, you may just be immature.

If your spirituality is holding you back from advancing in your relationship with the Lord, and the work of God in your local church and in the kingdom of God, then you are too spiritual for your own good. True maturity in Christ is to love one another.