Spiritual Formation as taught by Ministry Magazine

[joeb]

The only one to take "Spiritual Anything" from is from His Very Own Spirit sent as the Comforter for that precise purpose and that purpose is a wonderful promise! I love it!

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 15:26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Gibs did you even bother to read to what Stan posted? Or are you just reacting to the words "spiritual formation"? If so, how are those two words evil?

This reminds me of sky basically saying that only a specific set of words were to be used to describe righteousness by faith.

Words themselves are neither holy or evil.

[Gibs]

JoeB,

It is just my preference not to take anything except of Christ and His Spirit of Truth.

Yes I admit I am very particular and must remain that way. I am very narrow minded when it comes to following only Him.

I am not open minded to teachings of the world and do not even like it's choice of word combos.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

[Stan]

GIBS, I have not seen any words from you stating how that Spiritual Formation as out line is wrong. Be specific.

[Naomi]

Originally Posted By: LynnDel

The phrase, "Spiritual Formation" is a vague topic until the words are defined by the person presenting the topic. We can't jump all over someone for using that terminology just because someone has defined it to fit their purpose in a way that raises the fur on our backs. The worlds are not the key; the meaning and practice defined by those words are what matters.

And folks, we have our winner!

Sums up exactly and nicely what I proposed above!

Blessings,

[Gibs]

Stan, I just ask you and all, who is the phrase of, "spiritual formation" and also "spiritual exercises". Did it not come in with "emerging church?'

You folks can defend it if you want but on that score I cannot be with you even if I was the only one, but you all know I am not.

I've laid out here what I prefer far and above it.

Blessings I pray to all to see through this thing rightly.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

[Stan]

Gibs

You are the one that has spoke against the Church stand on Spiritual Formation.

Show specifically where it is wrong, and don't put that monkey on me.

[JoeMo]

Stan,

Thanks for posting this.As was stated earlier (and on other threads) there is a true spiritual formation and a false one; just as there is a true Sabbath and a false one. My own definition of spiritual formation is "focus and effort to develop a personal and intimate relationship with the Godhead; and an awareness of the spiritual realm". The article you posted is a great example of what I consider to be true spiritual formation. As long as our minds are focused on the Godhead and the word of God; and open to "hearing" and "confirming" the voice of God, how can we go wrong?

Gibs,

I respect your stand against what you find offensive. Even as you rail against the words, you have undergone your own "spiritual formation" whether you want to call it that or not. Everyone goes through some form of "spiritual formation" in their lives - Even if they don't call it that. Whether for good or evil, we all take part in the formation of our spiritual self - whether that education comes from the Holy Spirit or "other" spirits. Unfortunately, the "spiritual formation" many people practice is "spiritual unformation" (i.e.,"spiritual destruction").

[Gibs]

Stan, I find it is wrong because of where it is from. And I must tell you I am not the only who takes a stand on this, you just have not found any perhaps but me with the nerve to post it here.

And Stan I am putting no "monkey" on you, we are all free moral agents under God.

JoeMoe, you say I "rail" against the words, no I don't "rail" I just speak against using the phrase of the two words, "spiritual formation" and "spiritual exercises" as it is repulsive as to the origin of it.

Just plain and simple, for me it is not right.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

[Stan]

So vegetarianism comes from the east. Are you against that as well?

[debbym]

Quote:

I just speak against using the phrase of the two words, "spiritual formation" and "spiritual exercises" as it is repulsive as to the origin of it.

Gibs,

i appreciate you concern to keep the truth pure. and to protect yourself from error.

this we all should do.

and you know the enemy always works to mix truth and error. he always works this way, from the beginning.

in false spiritual formation there is a mixture of truth and error.

but the words spiritual formation did not orginate in a body of error. but this expression was taken and used for a body of thought that did blend truth and error.

like the word Sabbath, it is about God's pure and holy day, but it is not used to refer to Sunday. When someone speaks of Sunday Sabbath it does not cause the real Sabbath to lose any of it's Holiness.

so the expression spiritual formation does not have the power to destroy the true spiritual formation.

Luke 2:52 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

this was growth this was the spiritual formation of Jesus.

Jesus' character grew, socially he grew, and spiritually he grew.

spiritual formation is about having a true walk with God.

just like the True Sabbath is a blessing and God's will for us.

the true and the false of everything abounds around us all, but by the grace of God we can live and be blessed in doing what is his will for us.

your fear of the very words seems to prevent you from even knowing what true spiritual formation is... a living relationship with God, making life habits of prayer, study, devotion, meditation, and surrender. these are all essentials in the Christian life. we are to "exercise our faith" this is a spiritual exercise. should we forbid the exercise of our faith, because this word is in an expression spiritual exercises?

this is a mental rigidity, an attempt to control ones mind and then to reach our and control other's minds too. The control of the Holy Spirit does not resort to such techniques, it implants the divine principles in the heart so we can think through truth and error and see it and see the contrast and choose the good.

then we can be exposed to all kinds of error, and it can have no power over us, because we see through it with our own eyes, under the control of divine principles. the power of truth is not comprised of controlling words.

[Gail]

In the olden days, Sunday keepers called Sunday, "Sabbath".

Is it? But to the Sunday keepers, when you said, "Sabbath," that is what they thought- Sunday.

The true always was the seventh day; even though the new meaning signified something else, to those who knew the true it did nothing to shake their view of it.

Just because a group of people think of "spiritual formation" in a certain way doesn't detract from what God outlined in the Bible as to how people were to grow. Jesus is still our bread, our water and our light, we still grow by prayer, meditation on God's word, bearing our cross, etc.

We need to uphold the true, even when others want to morph it into something of their own making.

Just like with the Sabbath, we don't want to do away with it altogether because someone changed it to Sunday. We want to restore what God instituted.

[Gibs]

Deb,

This is the Spiritual formation and exercise needed,

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come

The Comforter is the Spirit of Truth and the Spiritual Exerciser and guides those of Him into True Christian Unity.

Joh 15:26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Re 1:1 ¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

He opens His Prophecy to His own and makes it clear.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

[Gail]

Yes, and how do you get the truth from God to you?

From God's word, you say? Bible study, meditating (thinking) on what God has said there, memorising it (hiding God's word in your heart) are all Biblical disciplines that add to your spiritual formation.

Unless you don't believe in God's word, because it is part of your spiritual formation.

You see? You need to differentiate between the true and the false.

[Gail]

Being spirit-led is also part of your spiritual formation. But there is a difference between the false and the true.

[skyblue888]

"Spiritual formation" should be understood to

mean "spiritual growth," growth in grace

according to the commandment of our Lord and

Saviour, "Grow in grace and in the

knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.

How are we to grow? By the same power that

causes the seed to grow and the bud to turn

into flower and the flower into fruit.

"The Lord puts His own Spirit into

the seed, causing it to spring into life.

Under His care the germ breaks through the

case enclosing it and springs up to develop

and bear fruit." Testimonies, Vol.8,326.

As we are told of the work that the Holy

Spirit does for the seed, we learn the

secret of growth in grace.

"As the dew and the rain are given first

to cause the seed to germinate, and then

to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit

is given to carry forward, from

one stage to

another, the process of

spiritual growth. The ripening

of the grain represents the completion of the

work of God's grace in the soul. By the

power of the Holy Spirit the moral image

of God is to be perfected in the character.

We are to be wholly transformed into the

likeness of Christ."

T.M.506.

Now this:

"As the members of the body of Christ

approach the period of their

last conflict, 'the time of Jacob's trouble,'

they will GROW UP INTO CHRIST, and will

partake largely of His Spirit. As the

third angel's message swells to a loud cry,

and as great power and glory attend the

closing work, the faithful people of God will

partake of that glory. It is the latter rain

which revives and strengthens them to pass

through the time of trouble. Their faces will

shine with the glory of that light which

attends the third angel." Testimonies,

Vol.1,353.

And what must I do in order for the grace

of the Holy Spirit to cause the Seed of

Christ to spring into life and develop

and bear fruit?

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His

merits we appropriate the blessings of

light and peace and joy in the Holy

Spirit." 5 T 744.

Hence we read, "There is salvation for

you but only through the merits of Jesus

Christ. The grace of the Holy Spirit has

been offered to you again and again." T.M.97.

This is our life business, to look to Jesus

and to trust in His merits. Unless we do this,

we cannot be saved, that is, we cannot advance

in spiritual grown from one stage to another

until Christ's character is fully formed within.

sky

[Gail]

I like that- spiritual growth! I think I'll use that terminology

I like to look at them as ways of beholding God. Every time you study out God's word, or pray, or partake of Christ's sufferings, pray for the Spirit's guidance or use a sanctified imagination, you are beholding God in a sense. And it is by beholding that we become changed.

[skyblue888]

hey Gail.

By beholding we become changed:

In other words:

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in

His merits we appropriate the blessings

of light and peace and joy in the Holy

Spirit." 5 T 744

And this, we are told in T.M.93, is

our life business.

sky

[Gail]

Exactly.

[Gail]

Maybe I should add, that it's not looking with the eyes as much as looking with the heart.

Every bit that we add to our lifestyle, heart added, adds revelation upon revelation to our studies and experience. Then it flows outward.

[skyblue888]

It is looking with the eyes of faith.

When we look by faith, the only true

faith that is, the heart will be

in it and we shall be believing unto

righteousness.

"With the heart man believeth unto

righteousness." Rom.10:10.

Both faith and the heart are mentioned

here.

sky

[Gibs]

Let us not be dupped by slick well oiled orators of deceptions which are numerous in all the church structures of the world!

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Let us hear His Spirit of Truth!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

[debbym]

Gib,

it is a rather quick and simple matter to see the difference between true abd false spiritual formation. our battle is not out there somewhere on some theological front.

it is not a battle of correct words and precision skill in outwitting another person with fancy sword wielding.

it is not a battle of striking another person with the right scripture, at the right pause in their thinking.

God lays everything out in the open, plain and clear, the truth is never hard to see or obscure.

the battle is much closer, it is our need and desire to have control, and surrendering control to God.

God is working with us so we will actually have the same peace and assurance, and calmness as Jesus, and have the same patience and tenderheart towards others. The truth that the spirit comes to lead us into is the truth about our nature, the depth of our need of God, and the greatness of His mecy and the depth of His character of graciousness toward all people at all times and in all places.

perfect love casts out all fear, even fear of false spiritual formation.

[Gibs]

The battle is for the mind, and He calls for His to come out from where error is entertained and forced home to the soul.

When people are caught up in error they will defend it as all good Catholics or any of the protestant denominations.

They just know they are in the "way" because their preacher said so. He showed them how to twist it all around and it is believed when the Word is plain it is not!

The Word of God and the guidance of His Spirit of Truth is the only safe guide!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

[skyblue888]

"You want to be like little

children, hanging upon the MERITS of a

crucified and risen Savior and THEN you

will be FORTIFIED. How? The angels of God

will be around you as a wall of fire. The

righteousness of Christ goes before you

and the glory of God is your rearward.

May God sanctify our tongues, our thoughts,

our minds, that we may dwell upon heavenly

themes, and that we may impart that knowledge

to others." MS 9, 1891.

To me that describes perfectly well what

spiritual formation is and how to obtain

it too.

sky

[Gibs]

I believe this. If this "spiritual formation" and "spiritual exercises" were of the right spirit, the Spirit of Truth sent from God then the proof would be in the pudding.

That "pudding" would be "True Christian Unity."

The proof of the pudding just is not there, yes there is pockets of unity this way and that but none of the "True Christian Unity" that His Church does have.

Yes dear ones, His Church does have True Christian Unity, you see His Church He built upon Himself the Rock has never fallen as He stated it would not.

It has always come out of the apostate and always will. Any of us can be in it, just come and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth and He is in the midst then and that is what constitutes His Church, His Presence!

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

In His Presence we are Blessed.