Thou Shalt Not Over-Spiritualize The Literal Meaning

[Stumpmaster]

Spiritualizing everything in the Bible can lead to several issues, both in interpretation and application. Here are some key problems:

1. Loss of Historical Context: The Bible contains historical narratives that provide context for its teachings. Over-spiritualizing can strip these stories of their historical significance, leading to misunderstandings of the text.

2. Misinterpretation: Not all passages are meant to be interpreted spiritually. Some are literal, historical, or instructional. Spiritualizing everything can lead to interpretations that are not aligned with the intended message.

3. Ignoring Literal Meaning: Some biblical instructions and teachings are meant to be taken literally. Over-spiritualizing can cause people to overlook practical applications and moral teachings that are meant to guide daily life.

4. Theological Confusion: Different denominations and theological traditions interpret the Bible in various ways. Over-spiritualizing can lead to theological confusion and division, as it may conflict with established doctrines and interpretations.

5. Subjectivity: Spiritual interpretations can be highly subjective, leading to personal biases influencing the understanding of the text. This can result in a wide range of interpretations, some of which may be far from the original intent.

6. Neglect of Prophecy: Many biblical prophecies have specific historical and future fulfillments. Over-spiritualizing these prophecies can obscure their intended meanings and significance.

7. Practical Implications: Over-spiritualizing can lead to neglecting the practical aspects of faith, such as ethical behavior, social justice, and community responsibilities. It can create a disconnect between belief and practice.

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

But if the Holy Spirit is guiding you, how can you be led astray, even if you spiritualize everything?

 

[IndianaRob]

Spiritualizing everything in the Bible can lead to several issues, both in interpretation and application. Here are some key problems:

1. Loss of Historical Context: The Bible contains historical narratives that provide context for its teachings. Over-spiritualizing can strip these stories of their historical significance, leading to misunderstandings of the text.

2. Misinterpretation: Not all passages are meant to be interpreted spiritually. Some are literal, historical, or instructional. Spiritualizing everything can lead to interpretations that are not aligned with the intended message.

3. Ignoring Literal Meaning: Some biblical instructions and teachings are meant to be taken literally. Over-spiritualizing can cause people to overlook practical applications and moral teachings that are meant to guide daily life.

4. Theological Confusion: Different denominations and theological traditions interpret the Bible in various ways. Over-spiritualizing can lead to theological confusion and division, as it may conflict with established doctrines and interpretations.

5. Subjectivity: Spiritual interpretations can be highly subjective, leading to personal biases influencing the understanding of the text. This can result in a wide range of interpretations, some of which may be far from the original intent.

6. Neglect of Prophecy: Many biblical prophecies have specific historical and future fulfillments. Over-spiritualizing these prophecies can obscure their intended meanings and significance.

7. Practical Implications: Over-spiritualizing can lead to neglecting the practical aspects of faith, such as ethical behavior, social justice, and community responsibilities. It can create a disconnect between belief and practice.

That’s what the Bible means by rightly dividing the word of truth, is it literal or is it spiritual.

I’ve found that when I divide wrongly my thesis may start out great but it falls apart the farther it’s taken.

I think that’s part of the error correction system God built into the Bible… if it seems to be true in one place and continues to be true throughout the rest of scripture then you’ve probably rightly divided.

 

[Windmill Charge]

But if the Holy Spirit is guiding you, how can you be led astray, even if you spiritualize everything?

If everything in the bible is being read with a spiritual meaning, then one is not being lead by the Spirit.
It is as bad as saying ' there are no spiritual meanings to passages of scripture.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

But if the Holy Spirit is guiding you, how can you be led astray, even if you spiritualize everything?

Because the Holy Spirit will not cause you to render a new understanding of Scripture.

Many people get confused because of this rule:

There is only one interpretation of Scripture, but there can be several applications.

What this means is that there may be more than one "personal" application to Scripture verses (like say applying literal truths found in the book of Jonah), but the interpretation of Jonah is what is written- Jonahrebelled, fish swallowed and coughed him up at Nineveh, he preached and the people repented.

Personal applications are just that- something God is showing you to live your life more godly- it is not new interpretation nor should take over the literal meaning of the words.

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

If everything in the bible is being read with a spiritual meaning, then one is not being lead by the Spirit.
It is as bad as saying ' there are no spiritual meanings to passages of scripture.

It seems you didn't get what I mean, which is why you're twisting things.

John 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.

Don't twist my words. I meant it when I said, 'if you are being led,' not the other way around, okay?

Because the Holy Spirit will not cause you to render a new understanding of Scripture.

It seems like you don't understand me either. What I'm saying and asking doesn't contradict to what you're saying. In fact, they actually agree with each other. What I'm saying is that if you're being guided by the Holy Spirit, how could it possibly lead you to lies or stray from the path? Don't you get it? If you're guided by the Holy Spirit, whether in a literal or spiritual sense, it will tell you the whole truth.

 

[David in NJ]

It seems you didn't get what I mean, which is why you're twisting things.

John 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.

Don't twist my words. I meant it when I said, 'if you are being led,' not the other way around, okay?

It seems like you don't understand me either. What I'm saying and asking doesn't contradict to what you're saying. In fact, they actually agree with each other. What I'm saying is that if you're being guided by the Holy Spirit, how could it possibly lead you to lies or stray from the path? Don't you get it? If you're guided by the Holy Spirit, whether in a literal or spiritual sense, it will tell you the whole truth.

Don't you get it? If you're guided by the Holy Spirit, whether in a literal or spiritual sense, it will tell you the whole truth.

YES, i get your point completely.

This is how the Holy Spirit manifests in a New Covenant Blood Washed Believer = John 16:12-15

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
All things that the Father has are Mine.
Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

YES, i get your point completely.

This is how the Holy Spirit manifests in a New Covenant Blood Washed Believer = John 16:12-15

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
All things that the Father has are Mine.
Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

The Spirit of Truth, isn't that also the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent in His Son's name?

 

[David in NJ]

The Spirit of Truth, isn't that also the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent in His Son's name?

YES
The Holy Spirit/Spirit of Truth is the Power of God for us to Know Him and to Know Truth and to bear Witness to the Truth.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

It seems you didn't get what I mean, which is why you're twisting things.

John 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.

Don't twist my words. I meant it when I said, 'if you are being led,' not the other way around, okay?

It seems like you don't understand me either. What I'm saying and asking doesn't contradict to what you're saying. In fact, they actually agree with each other. What I'm saying is that if you're being guided by the Holy Spirit, how could it possibly lead you to lies or stray from the path? Don't you get it? If you're guided by the Holy Spirit, whether in a literal or spiritual sense, it will tell you the whole truth.

Then I apologize. t is your choice of wording that is very common with those who spiritualize away the truth of Scripture for newer meanings.

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

Then I apologize. t is your choice of wording that is very common with those who spiritualize away the truth of Scripture for newer meanings.

Oh please, could you stoop down to my level even further and make it simpler so I can understand what you mean? Is the very common choice of words you're referring to sarcasm? Is it because my choice of words is unusual that people keep misunderstanding me? But I really mean it, please simplify things so I can understand you better.

 

[Windmill Charge]

Don't twist my words. I meant it when I said, 'if you are being led,' not the other way around, okay?

There is no twisting of words.
If one is being lead to believe that everything g in scripture is to be understood spiritually, then one is not being lead by the Holy Spirit.

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

There is no twisting of words.
If one is being lead to believe that everything g in scripture is to be understood spiritually, then one is not being lead by the Holy Spirit.

What I'm saying is the opposite of what you're saying. You're basing your argument on the human perspective, saying that if a person interprets everything in the Bible spiritually, it means they aren't being guided by the Holy Spirit. But what I'm saying is that if a person is truly guided by the Holy Spirit, they won't go astray, even if they interpret the entire Bible spiritually. The spiritual approach relies on the Holy Spirit to reveal the true meaning of what they read. So if the passage is meant to be taken literally, do you really think the Holy Spirit would say otherwise? You're making the Holy Spirit out to be a liar with that logic. Also, don't be offended. I'm explaining this to you because you don't seem to understand me.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Oh please, could you stoop down to my level even further and make it simpler so I can understand what you mean? Is the very common choice of words you're referring to sarcasm? Is it because my choice of words is unusual that people keep misunderstanding me? But I really mean it, please simplify things so I can understand you better.

Neither. It is simply the way so many say things that shows they redefine the plain wording of Scripture. How you wrote what you wrote is very similar to those who reinterpret Scripture. That is all I was saying.

 

[Windmill Charge]

You're making the Holy Spirit out to be a liar with that logic

No I'm pointing out that it is the devil you seeks to lead Christians astray by influencing them to misunderstand the Bible.
You can see this happening with those who follow the prosperity gospel or believe in sinless perfection.

 

[ThePuffyBlob]

No I'm pointing out that it is the devil you seeks to lead Christians astray by influencing them to misunderstand the Bible.
You can see this happening with those who follow the prosperity gospel or believe in sinless perfection.

oh ok
but someone did said that demons are not that wise to disguised themselves as the holy spirit

 

[Windmill Charge]

oh ok
but someone did said that demons are not that wise to disguised themselves as the holy spirit

The devil masquerades as an angel of light, so demons influencing the spiritual ignorant into beliving lies would be simple for them.
Why do you think Paul organised believers into churches and appointed spiritually mature to lead.

It is the same today the spiritually immature should be in a chur h that will teach and train them into maturity.