To be spiritually dead is to be diabolically alive
R. C. SproulRead
The clearest sensation that a human being has when he experiences the holy is an overpowering and overwhelming sense of creatureliness. That is, when we are in the presence of God, we are humbled and become most aware of ourselves as creatures. This is the opposite of Satan's original temptation, "You shall be as gods.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Experiencing the divine brings a profound awareness of our own limitations as humans.
In this quote, R. C. Sproul emphasizes that encountering the holy leads to a deep recognition of our humanity and creatureliness. This realization contrasts sharply with the allure of pride and the temptation to aspire to god-like status, which is associated with the original sin. By recognizing ourselves as creatures, we are humbled, fostering a proper relationship with God and an understanding of our place in the cosmos.
Themes
HumilityDivineCreaturelinessSelf-AwarenessGod
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the nature of humility before God, this quote beautifully captures the essence of our relationship to the divine.
More from R. C. Sproul
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The real crisis of worship today is not that the preaching is paltry or that it's too drafty in church. It is that people have no sense of the presence of God, and if they have no sense of His presence, how can they be moved to express the deepest feelings of their souls to honor, revere, worship, and glorify God?
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