To remove warfare from a spiritual life is to render it unspiritual. Life in the spirit is a suffering way, filled with watching and laboring, burdened by weariness and trial, punctuated by heartbreak and conflict. It is a life utterly outpoured for the kingdom of God and lived in complete disregard for one's personal happiness.
Interpretation
A spiritual life entails struggle and sacrifice, not just personal happiness.
Watchman Nee's quote emphasizes that a true spiritual life involves enduring hardships and sacrifices for a greater purpose, specifically for the kingdom of God. It articulates that one must accept the challenges, conflict, and emotional turmoil that come with a life dedicated to spiritual pursuits, redefining success not by personal happiness but by the commitment to a higher cause.
In practice
In a sermon on the importance of spiritual commitment, one might use this quote to illustrate the necessity of enduring struggles.
Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words, "in Christ."
Overcoming sin, blessed though it surely is, is but the bare minimum of a believers experience. There is nothing astonishing in it. Not to overcome sin is what ought to astonish us.
If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God.
I haven't any allegiance, any responsibilities, any hatreds, any worries, any prejudices, any passion. I'm neither for nor against. I'm a neutral.
In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender is valued above self-expression, and conformity is valued above integrity, those who preserve their self-esteem are likely to be heroic exceptions.
What is it the Bible teaches us? -- rapine, cruelty, and murder.
When politics and home life have become one and the same thing, [...] then,[...] it is evident that we will be in a state of total liberty or anarchy.
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.
A day is a miniature eternity.
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