Page 76 - Biblical Ethics Course

How Ethical disciplines relate to spirituality

E. “The inner righteousness we seek is not something that is poured on our heads. God has ordained the
Disciplines of the spiritual life as the means by which we place ourselves where he can bless us . . .. spiritual
growth is the purpose of the disciplines.” (Richard Foster, Celebration of Disciplines, pp. 7-8)

Spirituality and Pride

Seeks man’s approval – Mark 12:38-39

Show – Matt 23:5, 6:1-5

Arrival – 1 Cor 4:7-8

Special knowledge –

Biblical Ethics involves Solitude

What is Solitude?

I. Definition – The practice of seeking aloneness, in a place free of noise and distractions, for the sake of
spiritual reflection and communion with God.

II. Biblical Support
A. Matthew 14:22-23
You have to say no to people. You must do intentional neglect. Jesus was by himself to pray. It was in
the evening. Priority. The humility to know you must do this. Jesus. The disciples get lost. He was by
himself for the purpose of prayer.
B. Mark 1:35-38, Mark 6:31
C. Luke 4:42, 6:11-13
Keeping vigil is important in church history. And before major decisions.
D. Galatians 1:16-18
Saul is from the blue blood. He was trained by Gamaliel, the best. Fourteen years later his mind had
to be worked over. Paul was a killer. He was as likely to be converted as an ISIL terrorist. There was a
gap for 14 years before his specific ministry came.

III. Insight from Spiritual Leaders

A. “Solitude frees us, actually. This above all explains its primacy and priority among the disciplines. The
normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought and action
that are geared to a world set against God. Nothing but solitude can allow the development of a
freedom from the ingrained behaviors that hinder our integration into God’s order.” (Dallas Willard,
The Spirit of the Disciplines, p. 160).

B. “The wisdom of our language has grasped these two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the
word loneliness in order to emphasize the pain of being alone, and it has created the word solitude in
order to emphasize the glory of being alone.” (Paul Tillich, “Let Us Dare to Have Solitude,” in
Quarterly Review, pp. 10-11).

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