I would like to share with you some thoughts on ‘Spiritual Pathogens’. In the dictionary (or according to Google) the word Pathogen is a noun, it is a medical term meaning: a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease. We have been dealing with the Pathogen known as Covid 19 and it has wreaked havoc on society and affected us all in one way or another.
I would like to share with you 3 Spiritual Pathogens which have the potential to wreak havoc on our relationship with God. The outcome of Spiritual Pathogens is the possibility of keeping us from serving Jesus daily, feeling unfulfilled, and being ineffective in the world. All that from a microorganism that we cannot see with the naked eye, but it can be alive and active if it isn’t dealt with.
The 3 Spiritual Pathogens I am sharing with you are,
Un-forsaken desires
Exceptionalism
Pockets of pride.
I would classify the lust for comfort and convenience, the greed for recognition and covetousness for security as three areas of unforsaken desires. If we only seek to make sure we are comfortable and our own personal needs are our number one priority, then we will fail to be effective. If it is the desire for recognition that drives us then we are in danger of only being involved in actions that will give us public acclamation. We might be tempted not to be involved in the unspectacular and those things not seen by everyone.
The pathogen of exceptionalism is the disease of thinking that we are exceptions to God’s commands and standards. We could argue that our unique personality and character is such that we find it difficult to conform to the teaching of the Bible and believe that we are exempt from certain things and God is okay with it because he understands us. This is a bacterium which robs us of the blessings of following God according to his wisdom, it is a dangerous place to be when you go against the rules and standard set by God for our wellbeing.
The virus of pockets of pride can be deadly. Inward pride with regard to our intellect, our achievements, and our perceived goodness can cause us much trouble and strife. A lot of people have become infected with pride and it not only harms us but also those around us.
Overcoming Covid 19 requires a mixture of recognition of its danger, applying safe behaviour and being protected by a vaccine that works.
Overcoming Spiritual Pathogens requires a similar approach, we need to recognise God’s plan for us, adopt the right strategies, and keep close to Jesus. God provides the antidote. The question is do we apply it to our lives?