“It seems that more and more people are confusing spiritual maturity with spiritual elitism.”

Several have people responded to this statement with energy, fueled by the memories of negative encounters with the “spiritual elite.” A few responded with examples of encountering the “spiritually mature” but no one dared say, “I’m the spiritually mature one you’re talking about,“ nor did the elite raise their hand for acknowledgment. Maybe that’s because we all see a little of both in ourselves. There are times in all of our lives where we get caught up in what we believe, seeing those who disagree as wrong. So I took a stab at identifying some characteristics in both, in hopes that we all might take a look at ourselves and see how the Holy Spirit can help us to become more Spiritually Mature.

The Spiritually Elite (Often exemplify but are not limited to the following Qualities)

1. Thinking they have found the perfect combination of moral code, doctrinal correctness, connectivity with important people, insights only few posses and clear separation from wrong views and beliefs.
2. A comparing of their best performance, beliefs, and accomplishments to other people or groups worst failings and lack of productivity.
3. The thinking that their way of worshiping, teaching, style, vision and belief is Right and others need to align with it to please God. They may actually think if Jesus was here he would showcase their efforts as the “Right way” to do it.
4. Superiority that stems from Divinity degrees, Doctorates, titles, spiritual gifts, financial or social status and who you have had your picture taken with are often Elite status material.
5. No time for the “nobody”. People with obvious needs are subconsciously or consciously purged from their life to make room for those who can add value.
6. Conversation is about me, my church, my family, my goals, my accomplishments, what I need from you or the plans I think God has for you to help me fulfill my vision.

The Spiritually Mature (Often exemplify but are not limited to the following Qualities)

1. They are very confident that they've found a relationship with God that causes them to find the best in all people. They know that in the places they lack, there are people and groups who've found an answer that could help them. They listen to people of different philosophies, backgrounds and beliefs to find truth. Similar to a reporter looking for a good story, the mature follower of Christ finds truth everywhere they go.
2. They know that comparison is dangerous and often judgmental, so they look for common ground in others, as opposed to looking for the contradictions and differences. They are good at finding the unifying qualities. This is why Jesus could be with Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, slave and free.
3. They love the way they have found to worship yet they are fascinated with how others find life in a different expression or style. Therefore they don’t carry a rating scale to judge the anointing or scrutinize the lyrical correctness of every song, poem or liturgy.
4. Spiritually mature people respect and even admire accomplishments, degrees and titles. But more importantly they place a higher value on the spirit of a person - humility, generosity, compassion and civility are of high value. The Fruits of the Spirit trump the Gifts of the Spirit. Having the right practice of faith is more important than having the right belief. Galatians 5:6 says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”.
5. The Bible says in Acts 10:38, “Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” This is the model that the mature follow – ALL who were oppressed – Jesus took time for the woman at the well, the rich sinner, the mentally deranged and his disciples.
6. For the spiritually mature the conversation is two way. They are open to share their personal lives and are inquisitive as to how others think, live and feel. They constantly compliment and encourage others.

I may seem “on edge” about this subject. This is partly because of pride in myself and my elite status. For a long time I was this way, but God has a way of humbling me through grace and the process of life. Thus, my perspective is shifting. The hardest thing about being “spiritually elite” is that you’re the last to know the negative ways you come across to others. That is, however, until you become the victim of a more spiritually elite person.

The question we must ask ourselves is, "Have I ever seen a great example of the spiritually elite? Have I ever been guilty being that myself? Let us examine ourselves in this, allowing the Holy Spirit to do what he does best.

Pastor Steve