We are very religious but not too sure, if we are spiritual, what is the difference? Are they the same? On the other hand, do they have different meanings to convey?
We often confuse with both the terms, they have very different meaning to convey. In order to understand them better let us first look at the definition of the terms and then explore these ideas in the light of the scripture.
Religiosity, in its broadest sense, is a comprehensive sociological term used to refer to the numerous aspects of religious activity, dedication, and belief (religious doctrine).
Spirituality, something that in ecclesiastical (church perspective) law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such clergy, it is sensitivity or attachment to religious values or the quality or state of being spiritual.
Now let us read the passage in Luke for a better understanding and draw lessons for our life.
Luke 18:9-14
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
Jesus Christ shared this parable for those people who were looking down on everybody considering their own righteousness to be supreme. Then He brings for the comparison between two folks – one the Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisees are known for their religiosity since they follow the law literally taking away the spirit and the purpose of the law given to them. On the other hand, the tax collector is a simpleton who is considered a sinner.
The Pharisee made three strong statements (v. 11, 12) –
1. Superlative Comparison of his own self with the others
2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
This is an awesome scripture since the bible comments it is not wise to commend our own selves. We often think we are far better than others or simply because we compare ourselves with others as if we are the ideal lot. Let our comparison be to Christ and his ways – such a comparison will make us scary since we are no way near it. Generally, those who compare are often complainers they are never satisfied, they are religious and not spiritual. Life seems messy since we compare, when we compare we are more depressed. We see ourselves not as unique but in the light of the others. I remember my son came home with a less score in his subject and told the mother that his friend got lesser than he did. No one taught him to compare but he has learnt it on his own. If we consciously avoid comparison we will be not be religious.
2. Rationalized Rituals
Matthew 6:16-18
16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Jesus Christ has made strong comments on the basics of Christianity. The Pharisee who boasted about his fasting Jesus had something important to share, he says when you fast do not let others know you are fasting but be well groomed. Fasting is not a ritual rather it is a spiritual act to help the inner man receive strength from God. Fasting twice a week is more a ritual than a right act. With such a fasting if comparison and complain still exists the purpose of fasting has been in vain. In the Bible college I worked I had a colleague who will look obvious on his day of fasting. He will leave his shirt out and wear an old pant and bathroom chapels and students would immediately say that the teacher is on fasting. He has received the approval of the people but not of God. Some have said they were fasting every morning I wonder how that could be, since sometimes we do not have time for eating in the morning and that is not fasting – it is starving. I am sure we all have the experience of starving and not fasting. Real fasting is when you stay in the presence of God and spent time reading the Bible and praying earnestly.
3. Bragging on Tithing
Leviticus 27:30-31
"'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.
The Pharisee bragged about his tithing (giving one tenth of the earning/crops/poultries etc) – there is nothing big to talk about tithing when it comes as a command and not an option. Some people share that tithe is the OT idea and the NT does not talk about it, they are wrong since both the Testament has to do with the person of Christ and if so we cannot neglect something from OT for our convenience. The synoptic gospels share the idea of giving to God, we read it in Matthew 21:22, Mark 12:17, and Luke 20:25. Jesus said: give what belongs to Caesar to him and to God his share. It is not good to boast about a command that is so reverently followed. If it is a command, it is a mandate to adhere to it.
The Pharisee was religious with his ritualistic behavior, unchanged heart, complaining spirit, frustrating the others, self righteous, self boasting and arrogant. There is no change in the inner self; it is thoroughly brutal and barbarous.
Now let us look at the contrast – the tax collector and his appeal…
The Tax Collector did three important actions (v. 13) –
1. He stood at a distance:
Ecclesiastes 5:1
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
The tax collector had important actions than mere talks, he was a doer than a mere talker. He stood at a distance – it is an indication of his awe reverence to God. He did not dare go close since he knew he was not right in the eyes of God. His righteousness was like a filthy rag. As Christians we must learn to remain quite. Many times we find fault with others while we have so much of trouble within us. We act as if we are the perfect lot. The bible tells us that no one is perfect except God, we are not to judge anyone for we will be judged accordingly. Judging is the duty of God. Therefore, let us remain at a distance and do more than mere talk. The bible quotes with many words sin is not absent. So let us talk what is essential and not talk too much. Once I went to the Madurai Meeankshi temple since I enjoy the architecture, I was fascinated by the sculptures and began clicking pictures. As I kept moving someone stopped me at a particular point, they said I am not allowed to go beyond because Christians and Muslims were not allowed to enter that place, it is the most holy place (Karuvarai). Not many were not allowed even though they were Hindus since going to that place needed some preparations of sanctification. Therefore, when we go to the House of the Lord – it is better for us to remain at distance in awe.
2. He did not even look up to heaven:
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
The tax collector standing at a distance did not even look up to heaven, in humility he put his head down. Generally, the one who is at fault puts his head down in shame and guilt, those who lift their faces, or walk with nose up in the air are proud and arrogant people. Sometimes during the church service if we see some people they have a different disposition and we feel unwelcomed while preaching or leading worship. Your faces and gestures show us what you are up to. With such gestures, we think we are right and the others are at fault. There is no humility, they are men pleasers who will show forth a pleasing behavior when someone who they like are around and behave indifferently when the person whom they dislike are around. Inside the church it is better that we remain with our heads bowed down as a mark of reverence. I am deeply convinced that some of you have travelled in the flight, if so you experiences of looking at the cloud would have been splendid. As we fly high, we see different layers of cloud, which really leaves us with amusement. If you have ever travelled from Trichy to Srilanka you will be amazed to see, the ‘V’ shape; the peninsular structure of the nation. This will only let us know how awesome is God and we dare do not look at heaven because heaven is His throne and Earth is His footstool.
3. He beat his breast and asked for God’s mercy:
Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Psalm 6:9
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
The tax collector confessed that he was a sinner and pleaded for God’s mercy. He knew his spiritual status that he cannot be perfect in the world full of chaos and confusion. He needed God’s mercy every day. This is the reasons why God said His mercies are new every morning. Everyday has different troubles and therefore we need God’s guidance each day without which we cannot go on. A sinner when he confesses his sin and gives up his old life, he will find mercy. When you pray for mercy; your prayers will be accepted. I am sure as Christians we need to be like the tax collector humble before the presence of God.
Conclusion:
We need to check whether we are spiritual or religious: I have formulated a tabular column showing the difference between the two: Let us examine ourselves as to whether we are religious or spiritual:
Religious Spiritual
Finds faults with others Introspects personal self
Superstitious with colors and days and timings Considers everything as God’s provision
Enjoys talking ill about others Avoids gossip
Unwilling to submit to authority Willingly submits to authority
Thinks that they are right all the time Thinks they too can be wrong
Respects people based on their personal choice Respects everyone since they are in the image
of God
Sincere when they lead Sincere all the time
Commercial relationships Genuine relationships
Cannot be taught Teachable
Resists change Flows along with change
Pessimistic in approach Optimistic in approach
Distorts everyone Motivates everyone
Let me conclude with a story to help understand the difference between religiosity and spirituality. Here is the story.
There was a signalman helping the railways at the bridge, his duty was to show the signal when the train crosses the bridge. He lived at a time when there were no sophisticated lighting equipments but only had a lantern that used a thread with fire.
One day while he was on duty a train met with accident and lot of the passengers died in the incident. The signalman was charge sheeted and was interrogated for the cause of the accident. He said he was faultless since he showed the lantern while the train approached, the case came to court and the judge asked the same question to the signalman. He said he was faultless because he showed the lantern for signal. Considering the interrogation from various angles the judge released the man and declared free from crime.
The friend of him who watched the entire case from the beginning was astounded and he was curious to find out if his friend had showed the signal really why would the train meet with such an accident. He walked along with his friend and unable to contain his inquisitiveness asked him. “If you have showed the signal, why did the train get into such a fatal accident?” To his dismay, the friend replied, “Yes! I did show the lantern, but I forget to light it.”
My friends this is what I call it religious – the man was faithful in showing the lantern but he did as a ritual, as a law, as a rule but the real purpose of it was not kept. If he had done it with light in it – that would be spiritual – a serious consideration of his existence and the quality of his living would have made sense.
How about you?
Are you Religious or Spiritual?
Check it out…! God bless you.
