There are lots of tangible (practical, real, physical) ways
that we measure ourselves and others. A
teacher uses test results in school as a tangible measurement of our mental
comprehension of information. An
employer conducts an annual review as a tangible measurement of our
productivity and work. A coach conducts
a tryout as a tangible measurement to determine whether we are “good enough” to
be on the team. We evaluate the way
people dress and act as a tangible measurement of whether someone is cool or
popular or can be a part of our social group.
We love tangible measurements because, in our minds, they provide
“proof” of whether someone is living up to a standard that we have created.
Is there a tangible way to
measure our spirituality? Are there outward
things that we do that allow others to determine whether we get an ‘A’, ‘C’, or
‘F’ as a Christian? Believe it or
not, there are some people who think so.
Even more surprisingly, many of us measure our own spirituality based on
a list of external behaviors.
READ: Colossians 2:16-23
Verse 18 says that there are those who possess a sensuous
mind. A sensuous mind is characterized
by gratifying itself through things which can be experienced with our physical
senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). Other ways Scripture describes a sensuous
mind is a mind of flesh or a carnal mind.
Throughout Scripture our sensuous (fleshly/carnal) nature is contrasted with our spiritual
nature (Rom. 8:1-11). A sensuous mind is in direct
conflict with a mind that is led by the Holy Spirit. According to Scripture our relationship with
God is not based on our SENSUOUS OBEDIENCE but on our receiving of JESUS CHRIST
(Col. 2:6)!
What are the characteristics of a
sensuous mind?
A sensuous mind makes JUDGMENTS based on external religious
behavior (vss 16-17) – What are some tangible
things we feel like we must do if we are going to be a good Christian? Whether going to
church on Sunday morning, attending Sunday School, or reading our Bible, we
often do “religious” things because we feel judged negatively by others if we
don’t do them. Instead of God’s leading,
other people’s judgment becomes our motive for why we do the things we do as a
Christian. Paul says in verse 16 not to
let anyone pass judgment on you in the ways you outwardly express your faith. The substance of our religion is not in how
well we live up to others’ (or our own) outward expectations, but whether we
are walking intimately and obediently with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!
A sensuous mind considers DISQUALIFIED those who don’t
live up to a (measureable) legalistic standard (vs 18) – How we outwardly
express our faith can be extremely confusing.
Some will insist that we speak in tongues in order to be a “true”
Christian. Others might insist
that we confess our sins to a priest in order to be forgiven. Still others might insist that we use the KJV
because it is the only accurate translation of the Bible. Those with a sensuous mind will insist that
we live up to a long list measurable legalistic standards. Paul says in verse 18 not to let any
disqualify you because of their insistence that you conform to a specific
criteria of behavior. Instead of trying
to live up to a list of rules placed on us by others or ourselves, we must simply remain connected to the Head who is Jesus
Christ. We are only as qualified as a
Christian as we hold fast to Jesus Christ.
As we abide in Christ, He will qualify us by growing us with the growth that
is from God.
Why is a sensuous mind so
dangerous?
READ: Romans 8:6-8
Paul says in verses 6 through 8 that a sensuous mind is, 1) is HOSTILE to God, 2) does not SUBMIT to God’s
law, and 3) cannot PLEASE God. Ironically,
in our attempts to qualify ourselves by living up to a measurable outward
legalistic standard of behavior we actually disqualify ourselves from a
righteous relationship with God.
CONCLUSION
We must be careful not to live out our faith with a sensuous
mind which measures itself and others according to an empty list of external
legalistic behaviors. Our outward
behavior is only a shadow of who we are in Christ. The true measure of our faith is whether we
have received Christ and are walking obediently according to the Spirit!
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