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In one sense, it is easy to decide between good and evil. So, when a choice comes between what God wants and what our fallen nature wants, it is obvious in most cases. But when it comes to choosing between what we naturally like, where there is nothing wrong involved, and what would be a spiritual thing to do, many Christians have not even entered into that plane of life. Many are used to thinking only at the level of the Ten Commandments and still imagining that they have become spiritual. There we are told not to commit physical adultery, but Jesus tells us that a spiritual man will not even look at a woman with desire (Mt.5:27,28). Let's not put away this idea saying that it is unreachable, but realise that Jesus tells us to live like that because He knows that we have the potential to live like that. He is not teasing us. What we need for that kind of life is the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro.8:13).

When a spiritually-minded young man considers marriage, he looks beyond the pretty face to her heart to see if she will be the right companion for him in his journey with Christ and the ministry he is called to. There is nothing wrong with a pretty face, but for this man, his spiritual life takes priority (2Co.5:9). Those who choose to live at the natural level will always ask if there is anything wrong with what they do, rather than what would be pleasing to the Lord.

A spiritual man allows the word of God to penetrate deep into his life, questioning not just about right and wrong, but also at the motives and intentions of the heart (He.4:12). When he makes decisions based on such matters, he may come into conflict with other Christians who are only living at the level of right and wrong. They call him super-spiritual, legalistic, unrealistic, living in an imaginary world, etc. But the approval of his Lord is his comfort and strength, helping him to face opposition and misunderstanding.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one" (1Co.2:12-15). There are many different types of Christian leaders who impress others with their charisma, but they are only operating at the natural level, using earthly wisdom, knowledge, techniques and natural skills. Only those who have open spiritual eyes can see through their hollowness, while many are impressed with their 'great' natural accomplishments. One simple way to check is to see whether they are walking towards godliness and are leading others along (1Ti.6:3).

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