Morality Vs Spirituality PART II

First Written on 24th Mar 2012

Posted Mar-24th, 2012
Shan Sharma

In Part I of this series we had briefly covered the definition of morality and then made clear certain aspects of morality and spirituality which are in total opposition to each other. A moral man though may be able to appease the popular moral demands of the society he lives in, will never be able to connect to the inner man and live in absolute integrity of what he is meant to be unless he moves on to spirituality by knowing the differences and living in application. In Part I we mentioned that morality is a “self-learned” code of conduct, which is based on human self evaluation (wisdom from below) ¹. I would like to take some time and expound on this to further the point, since this is indeed a very key element that defines a man, a family, a nation or society and the deficient moral grounds they abide in producing self inflicted wounds and putrefying sores all across the civilization.²  

The formation, learning process, and results of a non-spiritual atmosphere

When a child is born, he or she comes into the world with hands and feet which are formed in the womb of the mother. From the moment when the male and female elements join together to produce conception of a life, there is a constant development of the functions within the child being produced, to a point that when the child is delivered and comes into the world its eyes are functioning, its hands, arms, feet, legs, lungs, heart, and immensely intricate biological mechanisms are fully functioning. However, it needs to grow and forms stature and strength as it feeds on the milk and then nourished with food. Similarly the child even before it is born, has a fully functional brain, a soul, and a spirit ³. As the person at the age of say 1 month, starts listening to and seeing things that happens around him or her, it starts forming structures of information which become a reference point for future behavior. The human mind consists of a 10% conscious mind, and remainder 90% consists of the subconscious and unconscious mind. Many of these reference points fall into the deep abyss of our sub and unconscious mind and form involuntary attitudes and temperaments like resentment, negativity, happiness, positive attitudes and so on. These reference points are immensely subjective and are based on individual perception which is affected by the intensity of the stimuli, the direct environment, state of mind ( being hungry, hot, cold, in discomfort or relative comfort, etc), and a few other subtle parameters which can vary across an infinite magnitude. Similar patterns may occur within families, such as an angry father, an angry mother, frequent debates and arguments in the house causing one to inherit a personality which has nothing to do with God, unless a spiritual environment is harbored in the family, city or country. Having darkness reign in the house instead of the peace from above ⁴ and a house ruled by wisdom and order according to the word of God ⁵.

The soul in this infant, as it grows, becomes wounded by fear and every evil temperament that springs out of it due to the mature evil around him or her. Yet another innocent victim of society joins the troop. Would it be defiled or would it be conserved? That’s why the bible stresses that each and every human being must be born again if they seek to be united with God once again. The word of God says I wouldn’t put patches on your old pants or fix the broken cistern to fill it with water ⁶, I will give you new garments and a new cistern ⁷, this is being born again. Therefore, morality constantly tries to fix the broken clay cistern while it keeps developing new cracks and tries to fix it again. Spirituality on the other hand is receiving this brand new titanium cistern from God and letting go of the old mud cistern. Morality tries to rationalize things such as abortion to suite the zeitgeist or “the spirit of the times” of killing babies, while spirituality doesn't combat the problem by adding sin to sin, it spots the root of all sin and says let go of the broken cistern, do not put an abortion patch, or a contraceptive patch on your broken moral cistern because it is sin. Spirituality produces a life that is full, free from sin and combats sin at its seed, the mind, where the spirit has full dominion, if we are well yielded, therefore, has the best opportunity to have complete victory. Furthermore, as briefly mentioned in Part I spirituality relies totally and solely on the Spirit of God ⁷. The Spirit from above, given freely to all men who believe in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ who came into this world to be the absolute payment for all our sins in accordance to the fulfillment of the righteous judgments of God ⁸. Only then can a man or a woman live free from condemnation ⁹ and truly live in a victorious position.

Notes:

1.  James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:17 But 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. James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

2.     Isa 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. Isa 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

3.     Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

4.     Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

5.     James 3:17 But 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.

6.     Mat 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

7.     Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

8.    John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

9.     Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

International Woman’s Day 2012

Woman’s Day 2012: What Does the Bible Say about Women

First Written on 7th Mar 2012

Posted  Mar-8th, 2012
Shan Sharma

One of the few blessings men worldwide have in common is a mother. Many have the privilege of having sisters, and most men eventually talk about their wives at all men’s meeting with ambivalent fondness.  Women in the recent decades have emerged from traditional household roles to contribute to society in most professions, businesses and politics. The word of God, is sprinkled with women who were plain old mothers of great men, but what made them great was their faith, we will see shortly, some were of political importance, but the reason they found themselves in such high positions 1000s of years back, was because they were women of great faith, some are portrayed as noble influences that turned murder and destruction around for a whole community, and so on.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Eve the companion: It isn’t far from creation that God said it is not good for man to be alone and He made Eve as an עֵ֫זֶר (ay'-zer) (Gen 2:18) i.e. a help or succor. She was created for intimate participation in Adams life, for community, communion, joint participation, sharing, intimacy and relationship. They were to walk together in front God with no inhibition till sin entered in the world and caused corruption.

Deborah the inspired poetess: When Barak was to command a force against an enemy army, Deborah, approached Barak and prompted him saying, God has said you must draw towards the Kishon (river) and God will give you victory over the enemy. Barak asked her to accompany him, and she did. During the battle while Barak was winning and enemy fleeing, she prompted him yet again to not let go of the enemy but pursue them and decimate them completely, and he did, and obtained a thorough victory. (Judges 4)

Esther Queen of Persia: The book of Esther bears testimony of how godly women are needed, and can be used of God. When the national conspiracy to kill the Jews of Persia was underway, having the king of Persia being manipulated into signing an irrevocable decree, the villain of the day Haman had all his ducks lined up to quench the discomfiture Mordecai had caused him by not bowing down to him. Its interesting how the International women's day 2012 is at the same day of Purim this year (March 8^th), the Jewish celebration for the overthrowing of the conspiracy to kill the Jews in this very story. (Est 9:19-22, 26-28)

Ruth the friend: In the midst of enormous adversities that would send many fending for themselves, having been widowed, destitute, when she was given an option to go and re-marry, she chose to say the following words and follow Naomi. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1:16, 17).

Hannah the prayer warrior mother: Hannah prayed to God when she found herself not being able conceive a child. Her prayer in 1 Samuel 1:13 is an example of how God intently hears not only to the words of our mouth, but also the prayers that are in our hearts. She knew that God was listening her plea, and found it not necessary for the words that came out from her heart to leave out of her mouth. God gave her heart’s desire, and she kept the promise she had made to God and gave Samuel to God. I believe her prayers and promise keeping went further than just conceiving Samuel as her son. God had His eye on Samuel before he even knew the Lord and the word was revealed to him (1 Samuel 3:7). God did it, but Hannah had her part in it. 

And finally, Mary and her alabaster box (Matthews 26:7): She was sensitive to the fact the Jesus was in their midst, the bible doesn't describe what she was exactly thinking when she brought in this box and poured this precious ointment on Jesus. She was perhaps moved by the Spirit, since Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Mat 26:13).

These all are examples of some of the great women of faith the Bible has a record of who are greatly admired and celebrated in the Christian world. Their actions and lives went far beyond morality or good works, these were spiritual women who had faith that could move mountains. 

Morality Vs. Spirituality Part 1

Morality Vs. Spirituality Part 1
First Written on 2nd Mar 2012

Posted  Mar-3rd, 2012
Shan Sharma

It is often contended that if one is moral, and doesn’t bother another, one is living well and somehow this is acceptable. Acceptable to whom, and acceptable for what, these remain undefined and open to discussion. However that is another subject and I do not wish to deviate from the points presented in this article.

Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior") is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good (or right) and those that are bad (or wrong). Inclusive to morality here are humanism, freethinking, and consequentialism.

In order to establish the differences between morality and spirituality lets consider a few things. First, morality is a self learned code of conduct. Life is too short to rely on a code we learn ourselves through experience and perhaps a few do’s and don’ts.¹ One can be a moral person, however, this morality lacks 1000s of years of hind sight, and furthermore it lacks foresight which can only be produced by wisdom which needs knowledge and appropriation. Therefore, it is unwise to be a moralist because it lacks definition, direction and consistent profitable implications. Spirituality on the other hand, believes, and is Spirit taught. A believer is a wise man if what he believes in produces fruits that are good.

Morality is adherence to a list of do’s and don’ts. You can liken it to a robot that is programmed to perform a task in a factory insensitive to the fact of what it is doing, why it is doing that, and what will the product be used in, etc, limited to the task itself. Spirituality is faith in action, a life of integrity according to a higher purpose, higher perception and at a much higher bar.

Another important aspect of morality as we see it is that it is only skin deep. Spirituality on the other hand produces a personality which is seeded deep within us and held fast to. Spirituality produces a personality; morality produces a pseudo personality, which relies on cause-effect based learning nurtured by ones environment. Spirituality produces a life, which is not skin deep but that which relies on our inner most being, which is in tune to the mind of God, producing an effectual lifestyle that goes way beyond morality.

Spirituality is rooted in “the Spirit of God” (Pneuma alētheia(truth) or Theos  πνεῦμα ἀλήθεια or θεός, Ruach Elohim רוּח אלהים /roo'-akh 'ĕlôhı̂ym). Are we all not looking to find love, joy, peace, longsuffering in situations, gentleness within us and to all around us, goodness, faith, meekness that produces brotherly affection, and temperance?² These are  the true fruits that produces actions that go way beyond morality and do a great everlasting work within our soul.

Spirituality is connected to the Spirit of God, as one God, who is higher than our limitations and instead of being a responder is an initiator.³ This is contrary to the notion of morality and idolatry⁴ (which is sinful), where man has to do something to make God do something in return. True Spirituality realizes that man can do nothing to please God, except believing in who God really is.⁵

1.King David’s son’s (Solomon) Proverbs 26:12 (NIV)

  12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

2.Galatians 5:22-23 King James Version (KJV)

 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

3.Isaiah 45:5 King James Version (KJV)

  5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known    me: (I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,)

4.Deuteronomy 29:17 King James Version (KJV)

 17And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them

5.Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

    6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

“Various versions are used in order to communicate the same meaning more effectively to the reader and not for meaning interpretation.” 

   

    Famous Quote: No free democratic country can ever lay claim to greatness, if it does not construct some kind of moral proforma, a moral imperative if you will, to guide the society, and have the society recognize and respect civic trust. This moral imperative implies to every business, every profession, every university and government as well. - Jack Valenti September 5, 1921 – April 26, 2007 (Chairman & President Motion Pictures).