So many people have chosen to dismiss what God says about matters and have adopted this “free spirit” philosophy that says, “I will choose my own way”. It has always been around since the beginning of time, but it seems to have become very trendy these days. Ecclesiastes 1:9 ~ ….there is nothing new under the sun.
We hear phrases like “I have my own spirituality” all of the time. What exactly does that mean? I believe it means that a person has decided that they are not going to listen to what God says, but instead do what they want to do; what “feels right” to them. They refuse to believe the truth, because it does not fit in with their lifestyle. They refuse to accept God’s ways, because it is not convenient for them. The truth of the matter is….it is simply idolatry.
God is holy. The Bible talks about God’s holiness many times, and even says that God is holy, holy, holy (now that is holy!). There is no other word in the Bible that describes God three times (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8). God is love, but the Bible never says that He is love, love, love. God is just, but it doesn’t mention Him being just, just, just. Holiness is God’s prime (or first) attribute. He is holy first, before anything else. Holy means perfect. This means that God is perfect, as are His ways. This also means that His standard is perfect. By you saying that you will not do things God’s way, but instead, come up with your own beliefs, you are basically setting yourself up as god. You are saying that “your ways” are better than God’s ways.
Isaiah 55:9 ~ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts”
Exodus 20:3 ~ “ You shall have no other gods before Me”
Another common phrase I hear these days is “I don’t do organized religion”. Whatever that means! This is another way of saying that they choose not to go to church or follow any rules other than the ones they set for themselves. Hey, I am all for not conforming to the world, and not doing things just because everyone else does. I am also not a fan of ‘religion’, but I have found this to be just a cop-out or a way for people to try to excuse the fact that they are not living the way God called us to.
This sort of lifestyle and state of mind has many names (disobedient, rebellious, self-centered), but I like to call this the ‘ISM’ way of thinking . This applies to people who have decided that God and His Word are really of no importance and that it is up to all of us (as humans) to find our “own truth”. Most of the time, these people have taken bits and pieces of other ‘religions’ (the things they like of course) and then mix a bit of their own ideas in and there you have it…they’ve made their very own ISM. I usually like to add their name to the front of ISM, for example if your name is Bob, it would be “Bobism”.
One example that I think everyone will recognize is Oprah Winfrey and her “Oprahism”. It is probably one of the most popular beliefs out there. She has collected ideas that she likes about different belief systems over the past 25 years, and disregarded the things she doesn’t like in order to create her own religion. She also has many followers too. Now, I don’t have anything against Oprah personally. I think she is very bright, funny, generous and super successful. I do however, disagree with her philosophies and get saddened by the fact that she has influenced so many people with wrong teaching(s) over the years. She has promoted a variety of people, books and beliefs that DO NOT line up with the Word of God. And that’s a fact.
Which brings me back to this whole idea of each of us having our “own truth”. That phrase doesn’t make any sense. Truth is truth. There is only one truth, there cannot be many truths. A matter is either true or false, it can not be both. And what happens when you have several people claiming the truth, and those “truths” contradict each other. What then?
John 14:6 ~ Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me”
The fact of the matter is we are all pretty creative human beings (because we have an awesome Creator), and could come up with our own ISMS if we wanted to. However, God has given us the TRUTH, or in other words the RIGHT (and best) ANSWER. There is no need for us to try to come up with our own ideas about God and ‘spirituality’. Trying to create our own ISM is similar to a 4-year-old choosing their own meals. The meals would probably consist of chocolate milk, ice cream, cookies, mac n cheese, candy and pizza. All the stuff they like, and that tastes good. However, if they did so, they would end up sick in no time. Which is why it is our job as parents to choose meals for our children. We know what is best for them; for their health now and in the future. We love them and want them at their best.
God works the same way. He loves us and has created the right answer for our lives, to include the plan for salvation. God never intended us to be ‘religious’. It is not about being a part of a ‘religion’. It is about having a personal relationship with God. He tells us, just as a loving parent tells their children, what is best for us. He lets us know how to stay out of harms way. The key is to LISTEN to Him.
What ISMS have you created in your own life? Are you ready to lay them down and seek the ONE who has the answer that you’ve been looking for?
Contact me if you are interested in learning how to do so.
melissasbeehive@yahoo.com
Honeybee's Hive 