I heard the term spiritual rascality in my spirit as I pondered on some shocking behaviors of some christians recently. As I mused on the happenings, I shook my head in disbelief agreeing with the Holy Spirit that the absurdity indeed qualified as spiritual rascality.

What is Spiritual Rascality?

Rascality is the act of rascals, period. A rascal is “a base, dishonest, unscrupulous or mischievous person or animal. (Dictionary.com). Rascals often are hoodlums.

Spiritual “relates to the spirit as the seat of the moral or religious nature; sacred things or matters; religious; devotional; belonging to the church; ecclesiastical; or ethereal.” (Dictionary.com). In essence, being spiritual means one is daily moving towards God in nature and deed.

Having these two (rascality and spirituality) go together is akin to the beauty and the beast; strange bedfellows of sorts.

Yet, we see it daily. This should never be.

Spiritual rascality is conflicting and can be extremely dangerous; the flesh warring against the spirit of God rather than yielding and surrendering to it.

Spiritual rascals can be found in every religion. In christianity, spiritual rascals are church members, often leaders, who claim to have been born-again for tons of years, redeemed, they speak in tongues, praise dance, perform all the churches’ rituals, but who still have a foot in the world. The Bible says that christians are in the world, but not of the world. This simply means that christians are not expected to be seen or known to act worldly.

Spiritual rascals allow their flesh to dictate their actions. They lie, manipulate, deceive, even speak “Greek” (aka curse) fluently than the indigenes. Some even steal. They borrow money from you and never pay back. In essence, they behave unruly and are unruled. On Sundays, they can be found leading the choirs and/or prayer groups, and they are sometimes the chief organizers at church conferences, meetings, or events. On Saturdays, they are in clubs and bars or looking to pick up a one nightstand. Mondays through Fridays, they are “f___g” everyone at work from janitors to the CEOs. In essence, they haven’t left the “world” as the Bible requires them to. They have refused to work their salvation with fear and trembling.

The scariest though is that spiritual rascals oversee, counsels, coach, disciples, and minister to people. I fear that they might contaminate or ensnare God’s people. I pray that Lord Jesus, the Chief Intercessor, intercedes on their behalf.

shall we because of grace continue to sin?

Grace

I’m not judging anyone. For by grace (God’s unmerited favor), which is available to all, have I also been saved. But, shall we because of grace continue to sin? God forbid.

Been saved is by grace, but staying saved is an intentional choice because the path of righteousness is narrow and only few walk in and through it. My prayer is that we be counted among those few.

I acknowledge that being a true sanctified Jesus lover or follower is not an easy choice, with daily persecutions and people tending to take advantage of one’s new identity expecting one to be mute when wrongly dealt with or to turn the other cheek to be slapped. Loving Jesus daily is a matter of grace. I get it. What I don’t understand is why some mix up spirituality with rascality.

Ask for help

If you are one of those spiritual rascals, please I adjure you to stop and decide which you want to lean in to. If you find yourself vacillating between staying spiritual and leaving rascality, please ask the Holy Spirit for help. He wants the best for you and I and doesn’t want you being the same old rascal years after your salvation.

As it is written, old things are passed away, behold all thing have become new; once saved, we ought to embrace the new identity (in Christ Jesus).
May God help us all.