A SPIRITUAL vs. AN INTELLECTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

A SPIRITUAL vs. AN INTELLECTUAL
RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

God’s gracious agape to you!

I had a most interesting chat on the phone with a brother in Christ who is on our mailing list for these Letters. I can’t remember what we started out talking about, but it soon morphed into a discussion about a personal relationship with Jesus. He made an interesting observation, that, in his opinion, most Christians have an intellectual relationship with Jesus and Father God, but not a spiritual relationship with Them. When I asked him to explain the difference. he fought for the words and told me that it was difficult for him to explain in mere words. He used as example and encounter he had with a pastor. He and this pastor were having a discussion about a personal relationship with Jesus. At one point, my friend told the pastor that it seemed to him that the pastor’s description of his relationship with Jesus was more intellectual than spiritual. So the pastor asked him to explain what he meant, especially what a “spiritual” relationship with God really was like. My friend said he was given, by God’s Spirit, a number of examples of a true spiritual relationship, the most of which he had now forgotten now as we talked. (There is one included later in this Letter.)

But, this got me to thinking: what is an intellectual relationship with Jesus, and what is a spiritual relationship with Him? And this question birthed this Letter and some answers for your consideration.

Let’s pray: “Wonderful Father God, Paul told us that in Jesus, we live, move, and have our being. This means we truly live in the spiritual realm in Jesus. But, what does it really mean for us to be in a spiritual relationship versus and intellectual relationship with Him?”

There definitely is a difference between the intellect and the spirit. But what are the differences? Do you know? When I first thought about the question, I thought, “Well, this should be fairly simple to answer.” Simple, until I attempted to write them down for this Letter! I, like my brother, knew the difference deep inside, but when it came to articulating them, especially regarding the spiritual aspects of a relationship with Jesus, I hit a wall of trying to form English words to explain spiritual realities. So, I put my pen down and prayed to Jesus for His “take” on the matter. Now, I won’t say I perfectly understand all I’ll relate to you in this Letter, but the Spirit of God has given me some faint understanding, kind of like Paul when he said, “. . . For now we see through a glass, darkly (or dimly—1 Cor. 13:12)

So, what follows are my leadings from God into the matter at hand. I’m sure that many of you who read this will have thought of a number of intellectual and spiritual markers that I left out. I’d like to hear from you if you have.

Let’s begin with what I am calling “intellectual markers”. This is simply my way of saying those aspects that mark an intellectual relationship with Jesus (again, versus a spiritual relationship with Him). Later, I’ll delineate some “spiritual markers”.

Intellectual Markers

(of a relationship with Jesus)

Let’s begin by defining intellect. Intellect is the human mind’s faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge and information. When we see that word, knowledge, perhaps it might raise a flag in some. This is because it is one’s soul/intellect that takes bites from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and processes and stores this information for future use.

Accordingly, an intellectual is someone who essentially reasons, understands, and comes to conclusions objectively by analyzing the physical world around them based upon the knowledge and information they have acquired. The key word here is “objectively”, meaning they process information they have gleaned of the world around them, not of the spiritual realm. This is an important distinction to see: the fallen intellect opposes the Spirit of God. Now, it’s not wrong to use one’s intellect, for it is God-given. But, intellectuals tend to rely upon their Adamic intellect to steer their ship through life in this world, rather than seek God for His will and guidance. I, myself, tend to be intellectual, but I must constantly submit my intellect to God, His knowledge and wisdom, to guide me. My intellect has gotten me into much trouble in this world.

So, here is our first intellectual marker:

Intellect is principally of the mind, not of the Spirit (although there is a spiritual intellect in the mind of Christ, but this is for another time to discuss).

When we’re discussing intellect in this Letter, we’re basically referring to man’s fallen intellect that Christians tend to use to relate with Jesus and Father God. For example, many Christians deeply believe that by reading their Bible, they are relating with God, assuming that His Spirit is breathing out from the Bible to them, and they are relating intimately with Jesus via this means (Jn. 5:38-39). This does, indeed, have some truth to it. But, again, intellect does not equal spirit—a mistake many unconsciously assume. Suffice to say here, one’s intellect is spiritually limited—restrained and curtailed by God (see Gn. 3:24 for God’s restraining sword). In other words, there is just so far one’s intellect can relate in the spiritual realm. It’s more like it only touches it, rather than penetrates it. Intellect must yield to faith, which is the only thing of man that can go into the Spirit with Christ and relate intimately with Him.

Fallen intellect is married to reason, logic, knowledge, perceptions, and understanding—for self’s benefit

Indeed, our intellect is a gift from God. But instead of marrying itself to God, in its fallen state it worships knowledge instead. For example, true, pure scientific inquiry was always meant to search out the physical wonders of God. And, in discovering them, was then meant to glorify God through its intellectual discoveries. But science, and most of its priests, forsook God and sought to glorify itself through humanism—the science of man and his intellect. Thus, science today seeks, by and large, to fulfill Genesis 3:5—using man’s science to vault itself to godhood (i.e. to usurp God’s throne. Have you noticed that a great majority of man’s space vehicles are named after gods?).

Fallen intellect loves knowledge, because (it believes) knowledge is power

Many years ago, my early mentor in Jesus, Tom Romero, told me that what most men wanted, be they Christian or non-Christian, was power. If someone had the knowledge of how to manipulate politics/politicians, the financial markets, the minds and hearts of people, etc., they would have power over others. Then it would just be a matter of garnering the resources to realize this power. In man’s church system, many leaders there be who use their knowledge, largely gained at seminaries, to massage the minds and hearts of people, who consider these leaders as nearer to God (because of their knowledge) than they are. In thinking this way, many place their leader’s intellectual relationship with God on a spiritual level. This is way wrong.

Fallen intellect creates rules: “You must read your Bible, pray, go to church, etc.”

Now, of course, reading the Bible, praying, etc. are things that can be most helpful in laying a firm runway for God’s airplane to land on. But man, by his intellect, sullies these good things by convincing himself and others that these things must be made rules to live by in order to gain God’s approval. One who has an intellectual relationship

with Jesus tends to live by self-made rules he believes keeps him in God’s grace and closer to Jesus.

[Note: So far, have you seen any of these intellectual markers in your own life and relationship with Jesus? Don’t despair; it takes a struggle for all of us to move from the dominance of our intellect to our spirit in Christ.]

Fallen intellect opposes faith

Man’s intellect tends to operate in the physical realm, observing and analyzing what it perceives in the world around it. It then takes this information and passes it on to that part of the soul which makes decisions in order to navigate the physical world. There are two problems with this: first, it leaves God out of its figuring; second, it also tries to make decisions for its body’s spiritual life as well. In other words, intellect takes matters into its own hands for what it judges is best for itself. But, by bypassing God, it also bypasses faith. Thus, on its own, it cannot know the will of God because only faith can relate with Him and know His will. A great many Christians try to operate in the spiritual realm by the strength of their intellect. This opposes faith and relationship with Jesus.

Fallen intellect seeks dominance over its body’ spirit and God’s Spirit

In his fallen and unregenerated state, man does not want any competitors to govern his life, especially THE Competitor, Jesus. Thus, he uses his intellect as a prime motivator for his decisions. He instinctively knows that his true Motivator is God, so he tries to quash any guidance coming from God through his own spirit. In this, he allows his intellect to be in domination over his spirit. He may get what he wants from this world, but he is also continually wondering why his life is so difficult, frustrating, and downright painful. To reverse this state, he must repent of willfully using his dominating intellect and allow God to move him and guide his paths. Then, his intellect will be in its rightful place of order: serving his spirit and God’s Spirit and used to glorify God.

Fallen intellect considers itself and abilities superior to God

Fallen intellect, when left on its own to rule the roost, looks skeptically at God and simply does not trust Him to make good decisions. In effect, intellect fears that God will not make the right or best decisions and that things will be even worse if it yields to God. “After all,” it says, “at least I’m still alive and have kept myself afloat.” And this is the thing with fallen intellect: it fears suffering more than death (though it greatly fears death), and believes its powers are greater than God’s in keeping things favorable for itself. In taking this attitude, intellect seeks to be the preeminent guide to its body’s security and wholeness.

with Jesus tends to live by self-made rules he believes keeps him in God’s grace and closer to Jesus.

Fallen intellect opposes faith

Fallen intellect seeks dominance over its body’ spirit and God’s Spirit

Fallen intellect considers itself and abilities superior to God

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Let’s sum up what an intellectual relationship with Jesus is. Keep in mind that, as I stated earlier, our intellect is a gift from God, to be used to glorify Him, not self. But when used through its fallen state, it supplants God and puts itself on His throne. So, when discussing our intellect, we’re mainly referring to its incomplete state of regeneration.

That being said, unregenerated intellect seeks to:

See
Figure
Understand
Define
Calculate
Perceive
Determine
Decide
Judge

. . .through its own power,

What God expects of it
But, more so, what will benefit itself most

A final observation on an intellectual relationship with Jesus. An intellectual relationship, be it with Jesus and Father God or any human being, is one-sided, not mutual, and thus not a relationship at all. It is just a narcissistic and strained monolog.

Spiritual Markers

(of a relationship with Jesus)

Just as there are characteristics that mark an intellectual relationship with Jesus, there are characteristics that mark a spiritual relationship with Him. Let’s look at them.

A person with a spiritual relationship with Jesus:

Loves Jesus

He doesn’t love knowledge, power, self-advancement—he just loves Jesus above and beyond all else. All things in this world pale next to Jesus and Father God for him or her.

Has learned how to keep his soul still and intellect in check

Be still, and know that I am God: (Ps. 46:1)

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel. . . in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. (Is. 30:15)

Those with a spiritual relationship with God have at least a fair grasp on the difference between their soul and their spirit in Christ. In other words, they have come, by practice, to discern the difference between their soul’s “voice” and the voice of Jesus. In understanding this difference, they know how to still all voices within them (including the world’s, the Devil’s, etc.) and be quiet before the Lord. This allows His voice to come through with more clarity (Jn. 10:27). This stilling of all other voices effectively stills one’s intellect.

Operates in the spiritual realm, not the physical realm

By learning how to still all other voices, we come to progressively operate in the spiritual realm and live, move, and have our being there instead of in the world. Then, more and more, we begin to subconsciously operate in the spiritual realm and find that Mt. 28:20 is more and more a reality for us.

A person with a spiritual relationship with Jesus

Finds that only in the spirit can he relate directly with God

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

One’s intellect simply cannot tune into God on its own, nor would know what to do with Him. It would be like expecting a flea to build a moon rocket ship: it’s a wavelength, a realm, that is impossible for the flea to enter and navigate. Only in the spiritual realm can one relate with Jesus. True, Jesus has appeared to some in the physical realm, but the key word here is “relate”. Even in the physical realm, one’s spirit is contacting Jesus’ Spirit—spirit to Spirit. To illustrate, when Jesus was in the flesh, He said to His disciples, “My words are spirit, and they are life.” Thus, a true spiritual relationship with Jesus is not of the intellect, but spiritual—of the spirit.

A person with a spiritual relationship with Jesus:

Is always looking to Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:2)

One who looks to Jesus, believes, by faith, that their spiritual eyes are really looking to and at Him. The mark of a spiritual relationship with Him, then, is not reading the Bible or going to church; it’s looking right at Jesus with their spiritual eyes, not with their intellect. A fallen intellect only has eyes for the world and itself.

Does the will of God, because he knows the will of God

The only way one can do the will of God is by entering the spiritual realm. In this place only is the will of God made manifest and discerned. Of course, there are many Christians who do not have a spiritual relationship with Jesus per se, but nonetheless they can pick up some tidbits from God through their spirit (if it is in Christ at some particular moment). This is possible for even those in whom their intellect is predominant. But the spiritual ones have come to regularly recognize the will of God because they are in a consistent spiritual (not intellectual) relationship with Jesus.

Allows Jesus to direct all his steps

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jer. 10:23)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (Ps. 37:23)

This is very often an unconscious thing. When a person gives their heart to Jesus, He begins to work deep inside to gently influence everything in that person’s life—steering them from trouble and into good. The spiritual person has His influence working

at all times—a gentle nudge here, a gentle restraint there (and sometimes not so gentle either way!). Someone with a mostly intellectual relationship with Jesus has a greatly restrained Jesus guiding and helping him in his life.

Has a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. . .My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:14, 27)

“I know My sheep, and they know Me.” The intellectual Christian can hardly relate to this, since Jesus is referring to a personal intimacy of the kind that is close, internally vocal and visual. That’s because the intellect is rational and logical, and Jesus and His love are not. They are spiritual, and spiritually known and experienced through faith. The intellect looks at Jesus and says, “I’ll have to think about You.” The spirit in a person simply falls into Jesus’ arms and lets His love hold it and warm it. Intellect does not understand this.

Knows the difference between their soul and their spirit, and keeps their soul in Jesus, not in the world

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Our soul, when left on its own without oversight from our inner spirit-man, always gravitates to the world for security and stimulation. And in this world it embraces, the soul finds tribulation and vexation. But the one with a spiritual relationship with Jesus keeps his soul in Him, and thus in His peace. Someone with an intellectual relationship with Jesus suffers from a lot of frustration, even though he thinks he knows the meaning of a lot of Scriptures (see Jn. 5:39). The intellect has a hard time with the “be of good cheer” part.

Abides, dwells, and remains in Jesus

Abide in me, and I in you. (John 15:4)

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. (John 6:56)

Fallen intellect abides in the world; it’s the only place it can lay its head. This is why Christian intellectuals have such a difficult time with Jesus and will fight, tooth and nail, to hold onto their concepts of Him while badgering others with their concepts. Allow me simple questions: Can a concept be loved or return your love? Can we abide

in a concept? Can it save us? Can it wipe away our tears? The spiritual man or woman dwells, not in concepts or logic, but in Jesus. Reason and logic are cold, and the fallen intellect abides in a cold place. Jesus is warm.

Operates in and does everything by faith

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb. 11:6)

The intellect relies upon itself. It thinks it has powers that are equal to God’s or even beyond Him in determining what is good and evil for itself. Faith, to it, is but a delusion, a thin mist that will melt away in the bright sun of its intellectual prowess. “I know how to discover what’s best for me,” is its mantra. But the intellect, in its unsubmitted-to-God state is a delusion unto itself. Those with a spiritual relationship with Jesus have control over their intellect and have submitted it to God. Their controlled intellect has learned how to discover God in all things and give Him glory. This allows the wind of God’s Spirit to blow over, around, and past their intellect and feed their body God’s spiritual Manna, Jesus. By a submitted and subdued intellect, faith—that communicator with God—can most effectually operate and foster a spiritual relationship with Jesus that is most full and most free of intellectual static.

A person with a spiritual relationship with Jesus

Has the mind/intellect of Christ

We have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16)

That part of our mind, intellect, will fight to maintain its place, position, and power to search out for itself and determine the “truth” of life in this world. In making these judgments, based upon its analyzings and reasonings, it submits its findings to that part of one’s soul that uses its will to make decisions in guiding its body. But an unsubmitted intellect is at odds with and opposed to Jesus:

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Ro. 8:7)

One’s intellect, as “smart” as it might be, simply cannot determine righteousness and goodness, for it is not subject to God in its unsubmitted state. In this state, it operates in enmity to God—it is His enemy.

But those who are in the new creation state in Christ have an intellect that is the very mind and intellect that is the image of Jesus’ own mind and intellect. They are free to think their own thoughts, but now they have the ultimate spiritual filter by which to

righteously reason and glorify God. Thus, they no longer try to access Jesus and relate with Him through the powers of their own intellect/mind, but in the Spirit through faith.

Is willing that Jesus see anything in him

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24)

Many who have a spiritual relationship with Jesus can tell you that this may just be the most difficult thing to navigate. “Anything? Past, present, or future? Oh, you don’t know what I’ve done and the thoughts I’ve had. My wife (or husband) and friends would leave me if they knew. And allow Jesus entry into this junk? What would God think of me then? It’s way too risky to my equilibrium and security to let Jesus’ and His light shine too deeply in me.”

OK, I hear you. But listen to what your intellect just said to you. It’s using fear to manipulate you (with the Devil’s help) into keeping distance from Jesus. Is it really safer to remain intellectual with Jesus? Let me give you a hint of counsel: It’s not safer! By denying Jesus and His light to shine in you, you keep yourself on dangerous ground.

Those who have given Jesus permission to come into them and shine His light wherever He desires have come into a most satisfying and delightful spiritual relationship with Him. They have found that their intellect did not know the real truth and deceived and misled them.

For this next spiritual marker, I am indebted to my brother in Christ (initials SG) for this insight, and it’s a good one:

Jesus does the living in and through me

To illustrate this, SG cited Galatians 2:20—

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

This may be the most defining marker of a spiritual relationship with Jesus: Christ living one’s life in/through them, and this living is done by Jesus’ own faith (let this sink into our spirit). One with an overriding intellect simply will not understand what I and my brother have just said, let alone be able to abide in Jesus. An intellect that has developed its strength through books, seminars, churches, and seminaries that talk about Jesus (note “about”, but not in the Spirit) will forever reside/abide in outward knowledge but not the inward spiritual Truth that is Jesus Himself. The fruit they eat is knowledge and their relationship with Jesus largely remains intellectual—logical, reasonable. . .

and impotent—limited in relating to others via a living and breathing Jesus, and a spiritual relationship with Him.

To the spiritual, all that matters is Jesus and union with Him

To be in union with Him is to be one with Him—to be Him. To be that one bread and that one Love, as He is Love. The spiritual know that only one thing is needful, and that Jesus is the one thing.

To be in union with Jesus means that everything that we are born with has been crucified, died, and risen in Him—as Him (Gal. 2:20). (Talk about things hard to explain!) The intellect has nothing in it to comprehend this union with Jesus. It can’t formulate it, understand it, or cause it to be. In truth, the intellect, in its fallen state, thinks it’s foolishness. Jesus, to the intellect, is confusing and suspect of delusion and deception. What the intellect can’t form on its own is considered by it an object of suspicion and skepticism that requires analysis

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I received the following letter from Laura P.

“I agree that our churches are a mess. Every time I read stories like those you put in your letter I wonder how the congregations can call themselves Christians. How can they read the Bible and believe the garbage? It is extremely hard to find a church that truly believes the Word. I think because of that, ‘believers’ really aren’t because they don’t get good teaching. (My comment: because the churches teach the “letter” of Jesus, but not the Spirit of Him.) Public schools are definitely not teaching what they should—the pupils are being indoctrinated to accept the popular social ideas.

“I believe the churches are remiss, but the parents are also remiss. The Church should do a better job of teaching so parents have the background to do a better job parenting.

“I could go on and on, but I just wanted to write to say what you are writing is good. I hope your readers will be encouraged to keep up the good fight. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and realize our position of being in Jesus.”

Amen. Thanks, Laura!

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