Too close for comfort

“Too close for comfort” is an idiom for “to be dangerously close.” The basis of this blog is soulishness.

1 Corinthians 2:14 refers to soulishness, “But the natural [psuchikos, soulish] man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 3:4 states, “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

Galatians 5:26 says, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

There are various other examples. Here is one more in Galatians 2:12, “For before that certain came from James, he (Peter) did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” Peter seemed more concerned about what these “certain men” thought than truth that is in Christ. This truth is what Paul describes in verses 11-21. I am not picking on Peter. He was the apostle to the Jews. He was at the Transfiguration. He walked on water with Christ. What he did in verse 12 is an example of soulishness.

To me, the definition of soulishness is when the old nature attaches itself parasitically to people and or things. It does so on the basis of lack of knowledge, insecurity and fear. The above scriptures show partiality when our God is impartial. They also show that the soulish man cannot receive the things of God by the Spirit of God. Periodically, I see this soulishness in church. It contaminates the ministry and sound doctrine of the Word. Paul says, “Quench not the Spirit.” He also says, “Use not your liberty as an occasion to the flesh.” Instead serve one another in love by the faith of Christ in you. Envying, vain glorying, and provoking one another is based on soulishness. Paul addresses this in Colossians 3:5,

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

Please don’t go and try to crucify your flesh after reading the above scripture. Kicking a dead horse and How to make a zombie are good references concerning crucifying the flesh. If you are dead in Him then you’re dead. Romans 6:10 says, “He died once.” Not one thousand times. If we partake in His death how many times do we need to die on our cross? Once.

In Colossians 3:23 Paul says, “And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

We serve the Lord because we want to from our heart because of the revelation of Him and everything He has done for us. The Metabolized blog elaborates on this.

John says that perfect love casts out fear. Paul says when perfection comes the imperfect disappears. The letter to the Hebrews says the Word of God cuts in half or separates soul and spirit. So, revelation of the Word dissolves this carnal soulishness as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.

This brings up a good point. So, if this soulishness is prevalent in the church why is it happening?

Do a search on Google for “sheep off a cliff.” You’ll be surprised. I found this article, “450 Sheep jump to their deaths.” Don’t mean to be graphic. My heart really does go out to these sheep. Their are also sheep in the pews as well. People’s lives.

This is why soulishness is efficacious in the church. Jeremiah 23:1 says, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.”

Here is an excerpt from How to make a zombie,
“The old man, sinful nature, or old self predicates itself on the law. If you want a mean, ornery, cold, vindictive Christian (should be an oxymoron) then put some law on him or her. As stated in “Worn out?” the law/schoolmaster will slay you or kill you. Read Blue Letter Bible on Rm. 7:11.

One ability of an evangelist is to convince the hearer they are guilty of the law through the unction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Galatians says the law leads us to Christ to be justified by His faith. Once justified by faith after salvation, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, continues to convince us by the faith of Christ in us. This knowledge by the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to discern between good and evil. If a believer is justified by the faith of Christ, then he or she does not need to be initiated all over again into the Body of Christ by being convinced they are a sinner. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The other reason this occurs is false brethren like the ones Paul describes in Galatians 2:4,

“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”

That’s interesting. What does that mean, “Bring us into bondage.” They attempt to do so by putting law/legalism on the brethren. In Galatians 5:1, Paul says to “stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has made us free.”

If someone, a brother or sister, anyone says that you have to do something or anything to justify yourself in Christ apart from the righteousness that comes by His faith, they are wrong and let them be accursed.

Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Prior to knowing Christ, we are under the curse of the law either in our hearts for non-Jews or curse of the Mosaic law for Jews. We cannot do anything apart from what Christ has done to make ourself look any better or worse. Christ is our all in all.

Lastly, soulishness is not spiritual, but I have seen some who swear by it. It looks, sounds, walks, sings, volunteers like spiritual, but it isn’t. Colossians speaks of circumcision of the heart. Christ knew all men’s hearts. Christ said, “You will know them by their fruit.” Not works, not clothes, makeup, car, house, bible, knowledge, but their fruit.

2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Also, soulishness will always let you down and disappoint you. Love always hopes, perseveres and never fails. The Proverbs say, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Soulishness’s deception will betray oneself. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave you or forsake you.