12 ways to look godly while not growing in your faith

Carl Laferton published two lists of ways to look godly whilst not growing in your faith. He offered six items for 2013 and six for 2014. They are as follows:

1. Regularly go away for the weekend and go to a different church
2. Be too busy doing ministry to pray or read your bible
3. Think hard about how sermons apply to others
4. Talk to work colleagues and friends about church, but never about Christ
5. Use family as an excuse for not committing to ministry; use ministry as an excuse for not serving your family
6. Buy Christian books and put them straight on your bookshelf
7. Multitask your quiet time
8. Ask for prayer without praying yourself
9. Talk about application without actually doing it
10. Only do ministries that are noticeable or enjoyable
11. Refuse to accept encouragement
12. Rearrange the Christian books on your bookshelf

Both lists can be found here and here. It is worth looking at how these things are justified as making us appear godly whilst stunting our growth altogether.

Equating theological knowledge and ministry success with spiritual maturity

A fantastic post on The Gospel Coalition Blog by Paul Tripp warning about the danger of equating theological knowledge and ministry success with spiritual maturity.

I will not pass comment here but will offer a couple of selected quotes. In respect to equating theological knowledge with spiritual maturity, he says:

There is a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is an accurate understanding of truth. Wisdom is understanding and living in light of how that truth applies to the situations and relationships of your daily life. Knowledge is an exercise of your brain. Wisdom is the commitment of your heart that leads to life transformation.

In respect to equating ministry success with an endorsement by God of spiritual maturity, he says:

God has the authority and power to use whatever instruments he chooses in whatever way he chooses. Ministry success is always more a statement about God than about the people he uses for his purpose.

Do read the full post - it really is insightful.