I'm not trying to sound spiritual, but...........

Yesterday, I heard myself saying those words twice. I was in a discussion about education today, and what could be done about certain issues. In the conversation, I began to make my point with those words, "I'm not trying to sound spiritual, but......." and then went on to make my point. Yes, it was a spiritual, Biblical point. My intentions were not to come across "self-righteous," "holier than thou-ish" or Pharisee-ical. But I've not been able to get away from that today. Then again tonight, as I listened to Francis Chan from the live stream of the Passion conference, my mind went back to that statement. One of his points was about whether or not we take the Bible literally- just do what it says. He also encouraged us not to take another speaker or pastor's word,necessarily, but to get in the Word ourselves, and see for ourselves what God says.

As I thought about that, several things crossed my mind.

How many times do I come across "holier- than thou?" But on the same hand, should we NOT sound spiritual in our conversations? I looked up a few verses and here's what I found: I Corinthians 2:13 - This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

As I listened to a previous stream from the Passion conference, Beth Moore was speaking about the woman with the issue of blood. She talked about how unclean she was, especially in that day.

I was convicted of my uncleanliness, even from today, when my speech has not been "spirit-filled." The following verse then speaks to our speech.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

It never fails that God will use something I'm saying to my own kids to make a point to me. Tonight, I was trying to get them to bed, and of course, they were stalling. I heard nerf gun bullets hit something, Presley chasing the cat with a pillowcase, while coming to give me a hug. I raised my voice, "I love you too, but just OBEY and go to bed!"

Immediately, I heard the Lord say, "Just OBEY, Jennifer. Take me literally and just do what I say!" Over and over He tells me what to do, how to live- His word is literal. It's written out plain as day. If I'd just do it.

I want my words to be "spiritual" and edifying. I also want my actions speak love to others. I hope that both will be grown out of time focusing on Him as I reach for that hem of His garment, in faith of being cleansed.