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The other night I was fascilitating the discussion group my wife and I lead (also known as small group, community group, or Bible study). The conversation was on sin, which is always an uncomfortable topic (and why I give it a whole chapter in my first book). The book we were going through described sin as “brokenness”. Framing the subject of sin like is very popular today because it makes the subject a bit more palatable (by the way, I also do this in my book).

Anyway, I posed 2 questions back-to-back that stirred up some tension. Actually, the 2nd question is the one that got the room buzzing. The 1st one was answered with ease.

The 1st question I asked (and ask whoever is reading this) was:

Is it possible to go through all the right motions and do the right things and still be spiritually immature?

That is to say, can someone be honest, moral, pray regularly, read the Bible daily, go to church weekly, be generous with their money (like tithing), and volunteer etc. and not be growing spiritually? Even be morally empty or bankrupt?

The answer was unanimous and quick: YES!

Of course, I agreed. In fact, this is exactly what Jesus was dealing with in his day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were doing all the right things, but had lost sight of a true relationship with God. With all their perfect routines and rituals, they were spiritually immature.

The 2nd question I asked (and ask you) was met with some resistance, meandering, and ambiguity. It was:

Is it possible to habitually and volitionally sin (steal, lie, cheat, or whatever) and be spiritually mature or maturing?

That is to say, can a person regularly choose to steal from work, lie to a spouse, etc., and be growing spiritually?

There was actually no clear answer to this question. The room was uncomfortable to be in for a few minutes. Back and forth endless definitions and clarifications on what spiritual maturity “really is” went on and on. Responses were in the realm of How can we judge someone’s spiritual state? or How can anyone really say or know what spiritual maturity is? and Only God knows the heart… No one would distinctly answer it. Some even said it couldn’t be answered. I certainly didn’t want to answer it.

In my heart, I did not want to answer question 2 because it would say something about me. It would make me admit I might not be where I think I am.

We tend to cut ourselves a lot of slack and justify more than we should. This question isn’t about legalism or a laying a “heavy trip” on anyone. But at some point, actions matter.

Make no mistake, the 2nd question made me uncomfortable too. I did not like thinking about it. But is an important exercise, which is why I am going to unpack these ideas in my next book (in a chapter tentatively titled “Right is hard and wrong is fun”).

I encourage you to discuss these questions with a friend or two. I have even talked it over with more people this week. Each conversation has been uncomfortable. But each has also been fruitful.

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