Spiritual Stability Part 2

Spiritual stability is not a result of disposition, it is the fruit of training. This is why God has given the church gifted pastors who can equip the saints by teaching the truth (Eph 4:11-12). The influence of such a truth-saturated leadership is stabilizing in the life of the church (Eph 4:15). In fact, this is one of the hallmarks of a stable church, its people collectively look to the truth for guidances rather than being thrown off course by diverting influences. Whether it is an entire congregation or an individual believer, a failure to keep coming back to the truth will rob you of stability in the Christian life.

The Path to Stability  — “GROWING UP”

It is insufficient—if you want to be stable—to initially acknowledge the truth if you won’t continue with it over time and in all circumstances. One of the most common stability stealers in the Christian life is a lack of endurance in the truth. The kind of deep convictions that are required to be stable require time and truth—you can’t abandon Scripture. If you want to grow up to be a more stable believer you must abide in the truth, which is the point of 2 Thessalonians 2:15:

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV)

One thing is clear, if the truth of Scripture ever slips into the background of your life then you won’t enjoy spiritual stability. When other influences—your own opinions, your own fears, false teaching, etc.—overshadow the truth in your life you forfeit the stabilizing grace of God’s inspired word. Just as the wise man built his house on the rock, you have to base your life on the truth, and stay there. Stability in the Christian life is always the fruit of an enduring commitment to and constant attentiveness to the word of God.

“NOT CARRIED ABOUT BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE”

If you want to be unwavering in your spiritual life, you must be unwavering in your submission to the Bible, especially in the face of error. In your battle for stability, you can expect for unbiblical influence to threaten you from every direction. You can expect,

• Error of False Teachers - The influence of teachers who distort the truth with subtle lies and open error.

• Error of Feelings - The influence of your imperfect and fallible feelings that draw you away from truth.

• Error of Friends - The influence of well-meaning friends and family with their shallow theology or unbelief.

• Error of Flesh - The influence of your remaining sin combined with the temptations of the world.

A life that is committed to the truth will stand with the truth against every error. Stability in the Christian life comes from being so committed to the truth that you will resist error.

“… until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:13–14, ESV)

“NOT SHIFTING FROM THE HOPE”

Stability is the result of a life that is rooted in the gracious truth of God. An unstable man easily lets go of the truth; a stable man hold on to the promises of God with a white-knuckled fervency. He approaches his life with an enduring obedience and reliance upon the truth of Scripture in his life.

A stable Christian will…

• Love truth

• Listen to truth

• Learn the truth

• Live the truth

If you love, listen to, learn, and live the truth then you will never have to worry about leaving the truth, which is the key to spiritual stability. Sadly, this commitment is missing in many Christians today who make the major decisions of their life based on worldly wisdom or cultural expectations rather than biblical priorities, which is a surefire way to perpetuate instability in your life.

In the pursuit of stability you must examine every area of your life to make sure you are holding to the truth. It is so easy to drift away from the truth and hold to something else, which is why stability takes constant care. How do you make sure that your life STAYS rooted in the truth? How do you make sure that you are holding on to the truth and not something else to order your life?

• Examine your life based on the truth — Is what you do rooted in what God has said?

• Examine your theology based on truth — Is what you think/believe rooted in what God has revealed to us?

• Examine your priorities based on truth — Is what you prioritize rooted in what God prioritizes in Scripture?

• Examine your sacrifices based on truth—Is what you sacrifice for in life rooted in what God commanded?

• Examine your relationships based on truth—Is how you related to others rooted in what God’s word says?