The Essence of Biblical Spirituality: A Journey of Balance, Wisdom, and Inner Peace

Concerning the BIble’s philosophy, I am often asked about the essence of its significance. There are real seekers out there, seekers not merely curious about the Christian theory or its preconceived notions; they yearn to grasp the meaning behind the Bible's spiritual understanding. This exploration reveals a fascinating shift in human comprehension, where traditional views of spiritual intelligence and devotional beauty are giving way to deeper inquiries into the fundamental counsel and wisdom embedded within the Bible.

The core of the BIble’s philosophy is about achieving balance within the devotional and the natural self. Consider that the ultimate goal of the Bible is to harmonize the human condition through the personal discovery and application of its wisdom. This can be perfectly encapsulated in one powerful sentence from Psalm 119:165: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

Possessing the law (in context, philosophy) of the living God bestows a unique peace that fosters balance. But what is this law? While it might seem natural to link David's words to the Mosaic law and its associated religious practices, doing so would be a misinterpretation. The law given by Moses did not inherently increase peace.

True peace is added to our minds when we exercise the Bible’s words. The peace that is given from such an act arises from a desire to know the intention within those words, leading to our edification. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes, "Without faith it is impossible to please him," while Galatians 3:12 reminds us, "The law is not of faith." Relying on written religious laws, which is the standard religious experience, to find peace ultimately leads to disappointment and spiritual unrest, as it fails to fulfill the promise of edification through self-regulated learning.

David, the psalmist, understood this profound truth. He speaks of a deeper law that brings peace to the inner self, as seen in Psalm 51:6: "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom," and Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

It's crucial to remember that "the law (religious law) is not of faith" (Galatians 3:12) and that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23); to the Bible’s mind, all religious law is defined as “sin.” The law David speaks of is a principle of mental creation and renewal, a counsel that nurtures personal faith, affecting the inward parts of our devotional life, fostering wisdom, and adding peace when we fully embrace it.

Paul's illustration of the living God's chief apostle suffering on the cross serves as an allegory for our personal spiritual journey. In Galatians 3:13, Paul writes, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us," echoing Deuteronomy 21:23: "He that is hanged is accursed of God." This crucifixion symbolizes the rejection of the belief that adherence to written religious laws justifies and satisfies the experience.

Understanding this allegory means recognizing that sincere justification and peace with the living God, ourselves, and others is through a different path than a traditional religious experience. Romans 3:20 asserts, "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight." Instead, peace is achieved through a wisdom that fosters inner creation and renewal, as Paul describes in Romans 8:2: "The law of the Spirit of life…hath made me free..."

The law that adds peace is the law of the Bible’s life. When we engage with this law or principle, we move beyond the prescriptions of Moses, embracing the healing character within the Bible’s words. David connects this wisdom to creation and renewal because true peace emerges when our minds are refreshed by the Bible's philosophy, as Ephesians 4:23 advises: "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

David's prayer reveals the mission of achieving balance through spiritual renewal. By cultivating a new devotional mind, we instruct our inner self to regenerate and reform. Handling the Bible's words personally allows us to move beyond the general human and religious state, described in Romans 7:15: "That which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."

This imbalance is corrected through mental regeneration, freeing our minds from "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men" (Colossians 2:8). In doing so, we can focus on the Bible's words, gaining knowledge and applying it to our lives.

In this pursuit of balance and renewal, we find the true essence of biblical spirituality—a journey of balance, wisdom, and inner peace.

Shaping Devotional Destiny Through Self-Examination

When it comes to our devotional and spiritual journey, the words of the Bible are to serve as both a guide and a mirror reflecting the essence of our conversation’s character. This reflection only takes place as the saying, as it is found in 2 Corinthians 13:5, is followed, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."

Self-examination, as Paul advocates, is not merely a routine but a strict dialogue with oneself. It is a conscious effort to scrutinize our beliefs, actions, and the alignment of our faith. The Bible becomes the instrument through which we conduct this examination, providing a standard against which we measure our spiritual journey.

As we dive into the pages of the Bible, we encounter a reservoir of wisdom. Each verse, each narrative, holds the potential to transform our understanding of faith and guide the character of our devotional conversation. The act of personally handling these words is akin to holding the keys to our destiny, unlocking the door to a deeper, more meaningful connection with the Bible’s mind and personality.

To truly shape the destiny of our devotional conversation, we must engage in a philosophical exploration of the conversation’s self. How do our beliefs influence our actions? Are we walking in alignment with the principles laid out in the Bible? These questions form the foundation of the examination process, encouraging us to ponder the very essence of our spiritual existence.

Our devotional conversation is destined for a unique and transformative experience. It is through the examination of self, guided by the wisdom retained from the Bible, that we unlock the true potential of this journey. The Bible serves not only as a source of knowledge but as a catalyst for self-discovery, inviting us to confront our doubts, strengthen our convictions, and deepen our connection with it.

In examining ourselves, we cultivate authentic faith. This is what the Bible is after. We move beyond mere adherence to religious practices and rituals, advancing into the living truths that shape our spiritual identity. The destiny of our devotional conversation lies in our willingness to engage in this introspective journey, armed with the wisdom bestowed by the Bible.

Let the Bible in. The shaping of our devotional conversation is a deeply personal and intentional process. By handling and exercising the words of the Bible, we embark on a journey of self-examination that not only defines our faith but also shapes the destiny of our spiritual experience. As we heed Paul's call to "prove your own selves," we unlock the transformative power within, paving the way for an authentic and enriching devotional journey.

Word Games

Word relationships are a real thing. The relationship between the conversation and the words within the Bible are to be like the relationship between air and lungs. As the lungs can’t properly function without air, so too the devotional conversation cannot properly function without the Bible’s words. The better the conversation’s relationship with the Bible’s words, the better the lungs of the conversation will breathe. 

Our conversation is trained to take its substance from everything else but the Bible, and to take meaning from the Bible by a surface understanding of it. Our conversation puts much confidence in what it hears, and in its opinion of what it understands, but it never quite realizes that it needs to have an understanding beyond its trained belief. The thought to transcend worldly spiritual or philosophical thought never arises because the conversation is yet not aware of its own self. 

When it comes to the preferred way in which the conversation ought to be handled, the Bible gives us some advice:

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee,” Proverbs 7:1. 

“ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart,” Proverbs 4:20,21.

“Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live,” Proverbs 4:4. 

“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” Ephesians 4:23.

“I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” Hosea 6:6.

The greatest gift we can give to our self is a conversation that is mindful of its thoughts and feelings. Why? Because life occurs through the heart of whatever we hold as a religious, spiritual, or philosophical belief, to have the heart of our belief sober means the lens through which we view life will also be clear. This is why it says, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh,” Proverbs 14:30. 

The heart of a sound conversation means the heart of a sound human being. As simple, or as insane, or as ideal as that sounds, this can only take place as the individual is willing to ensure that the heart of their conversation’s mind is well. This involves an effort, but the result of such an effort leads to an edifying wisdom, which is why it says, “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth,” Proverbs 4:5. 

The conversation’s assignment is a task for wisdom. As the conversation retains wisdom, and wisdom fitting into its personal human being, the value behind the effort to grow fond of the Bible’s mind will be seen and appreciated. A sound and healthy inward person is at the heart of the Bible’s philosophy, and if we will pick up and engage the Bible’s intention, we can begin to have the type of health, and to fulfill the kind of lifestyle, that we know belongs to us.

The effort to develop a relationship with words is an effort developing a “map” of understanding. The Bible isn’t a book, unless transformed by human beings, about “religion.” The Bible’s philosophy is aimed at helping the human being understand positive devotional or philosophical habits of mind. While not easy to cultivate, the words of the Bible bring its student into the classroom of their Creator, allowing them to understand what it means to be a thinking and feeling creation. 

Personal and devotional awareness of the inward person is the Bible’s objective. The more time we give to the Bible’s words, and to exercising the wisdom acquired from them, the more full our conversation’s experience will be. This is a change in thought from how the conversation is traditionally formed, but if maintained, the saying will be fulfilled, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy,” Psalm 126:5, and, “Blessed are all they that wait for him,” Isaiah 30:18.