No Further Than Natural Things
The sermon teaches us to see beyond natural vision and to view people and situations through the spiritual eye, as God sees them.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the difference between reacting with a carnal mind versus a spiritual one when faced with mistreatment, highlighting the importance of seeing beyond natural reactions to perceive things from a spiritual perspective. She encourages using a 'spiritual eye' to view others as instruments for growth and opportunities to show God's love, rather than sources of torment. This shift in perception allows for a deeper understanding of God's purpose in challenging situations and the potential for love and growth.
Text
"Well, it's perfectly natural for you to feel that way," I was telling myself when I was upset with the way someone had treated me. "It's a normal reaction."
It was a normal reaction for a carnal mind. It was not normal for a spiritual one. The carnal attitude deals with things on one level only--this world's. It "sees no further than natural things" (Rom 8:5 JBP).
Is there a telescope that will bring into focus things I would not see with merely "natural" vision? There is.
"The spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit." It is a different means of perceiving. It will enable me to see what I could not have seen with the naked--that is, the carnal--eye.
It works. When I looked at that person who had offended me through the "spiritual eye," I saw in him one of God's instruments to teach me, instead of one of the devil's to torment me. I saw something more. I saw a person God loves, and whom He wants to love through me.
Sermon Outline
- The Carnal Mind
- The Spiritual Mind
- Reaches out after the things of the spirit
- Enables us to see beyond natural vision
Key Quotes
“It was not normal for a spiritual one.” — Elisabeth Elliot
“The spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit.” — Elisabeth Elliot
“I saw in him one of God's instruments to teach me, instead of one of the devil's to torment me.” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- Choose to see people and situations through the spiritual eye, rather than through a carnal or natural perspective.
- Pray for the ability to see beyond natural vision and to understand the world from a spiritual perspective.
- Remember that God loves everyone, and that we can see people as God sees them when we choose to do so.