Spiritual Neuropathy
Undoubtedly, many of you readers have either heard of or have had the unfortunate requirement of living with neuropathy. Though usually associated with diabetes, it is not limited to those who are diabetic. This neurological disorder usually affects the nerves in the feet and toes, causing severe pain (especially at night) and a lack of balance when walking. It is especially notable when trying to stand idle without some type of external support. While there are medications that can help alleviate the pain, there is no known cure for neuropathy. Physical therapy can help to “retrain” the brain to compensate for the lack of balance, but again, there is no cure for the disorder: merely a way of coping with the debilitating effects.
I’m certainly no expert regarding this ailment, though some three years ago, I was diagnosed with it and have since learned to adjust my lifestyle accordingly. I still stumble and fall occasionally, and other limitations accompany this problem, but I try not to complain. I’ve learned to be grateful for something to lean on if I must stand for long, and I’m grateful to have shopping carts to help me walk through stores. As one once said, “Getting old ain’t for sissies.”
There is a “neuropathy” of a much more dangerous sort, however. I speak now of “spiritual neuropathy.” Let’s begin by examining 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” To stand sure and steadfast, one must first realize where and upon what he stands! Simply THINKING you stand in a safe place doesn’t make it so. Those of us with physical neuropathy realize that we often feel unsteady on solid ground. Unless we shuffle our feet a bit and move around just slightly, our balance soon becomes imbalanced, and we fall while literally standing still! Spiritually, souls can do the same thing! David made sure he stood in his integrity, and because of that, he said, “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.” (Psalm 26:12) In what and where do your feel stand, spiritually?
Six New Testament passages tell us to “stand fast.” (1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15) Many Christians believe they can accomplish this by simply attending worship services and bible studies two or three times a week. But a more careful examination of these passages tells us WHERE and IN WHAT our feet must stand. Notice: stand fast IN THE FAITH; stand fast IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE; stand fast IN ONE SPIRIT; stand fast IN THE LORD; and finally, simply STAND FAST. Brethren, may I suggest that regardless of how well-balanced you may think you stand upon your spiritual feet, you cannot possibly stand without the use of each of the above necessities!
Spiritual neuropathy will cause even the most stalwart of Christians to fall! What’s worse is the conviction many Christians have that they have no problem standing in Christ WITHOUT His help and the stability given with faith, liberty, and the Spirit. Such souls are in denial of their needs, and until they fall, remain quite confident they don’t need help to stand or to walk! They should study Jude 24 – 25.
Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” (Luke 5:31) He knew our spiritual abilities, regardless of how strong they might be, would need “medicine” only the Great Physician could prescribe. Therefore, our “spiritual neuropathy” needs the faith, liberty, and the Spirit we find only in obedience to Christ Jesus. There is no shame at all in admitting our needs, nor in admitting the abundance of these necessities required each day! The shame is in knowing these needs, the availability of fulfilling these needs, and yet refusing to take advantage of the Physician’s instructions to cure our instabilities! We think it ridiculous to see a doctor of the flesh and refuse his expert advice. How much more foolish is it to refuse the Great Physician’s immeasurable expertise regarding the well-being of our souls? How well do you stand in Christ? How well do you walk in Him? Without Him and His word, you can never live with “spiritual neuropathy.”