Scratching Your Spiritual Itch!

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Americans are growing less religious, but more spiritual.  This may, at first, seem like a contradiction. But surveys are indicating that while attendance and membership with religious bodies are decreasing,  spiritually, which relates to feelings of peace, wonder, and well-being are on the rise.¹  In America, with our predominantly Christian based culture, this has often been expressed as “I hate religion, but love Jesus.”

Dangerously connected with this generations rise in spirituality is a historically low Biblical knowledge.  Consider that only about 55% of the public knew that the golden rule is not one of the ten commandments.  Even more disturbing is that fact that only 45% knew the four gospels, which tell the story of Jesus, are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.²  While the Bible is more accessible than ever in history, most people are generally ignorant of it.

What this means is we have a society of people who have an itch, but don’t know how to properly scratch it!  They are seekers of God and are marvelers of the wonders of the universe, but because they have little religious training, low Bible knowledge, and a wariness of organized religion, they lack the resources to adequately and properly address their need.

How Should People Scratch their Spiritual Itch?

1. Humble themselves before the Lord.  “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  The first step to finding spiritual connection with God is recognizing your need for God.  We live in a world of determined individualist who want to do their own thing.  Before they can truly scratch their itch, they must surrender to His will (James 4:6-10).
2. Begin reading the Word of God.  The Bible is God’s word written to every individual.  It has turned many skeptics into believers!  If someone wants to know about God and spirituality, then they must read God’s book to them.  Scripture is the revelation of God; it reveals Him.  Jesus was the Word in flesh.  He came to show us the Father and reveal His message (John 1:1-15).
3. Realize that true faith involves a community of fellow believers.  Sadly, many have been hurt by “organized religion.” They are put off by the perceived accountability and demands of the church.  But God created us to live our faith in relationship with others.  We need the support, encouragement, accountability, and love of fellow believers.  To desire Jesus without his church is to decapitate the head (Christ), from his body (the church) (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:22-33).  Seekers should desire to find a congregation that is teaching and practicing the Bible and wants to be simply Christians.
4. Seek holiness and service in daily life.  Very significantly the seeker must understand that to be pleasing to God involves turning from wickedness and living a holy life.  The Bible says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).  A person will always fail to scratch their spiritual itch if they cling to their selfish, sinful ways.

Will you scratch your spiritual itch in 2017?

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¹  “Americans may be getting less religious, but feelings of spirituality are on the rise.”  http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/01/21/americans-spirituality/

²  U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey – http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/