If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of things based on their relationship to God.
This quote by Watchman Nee suggests that the true essence of anything can be judged by its effect on our spiritual direction. If something draws us closer to God, it holds positive character, whereas if it pulls us away, it indicates a negative or flawed nature. This perspective invites us to evaluate experiences, relationships, and beliefs in terms of their alignment with spiritual growth.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon to encourage a congregation to assess their lives and choices in light of their relationship with God.
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.
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.
My choices, including those related to the day-to-day aspects of life, like the use of a modest car, are related to a spiritual discernment that responds to a need that arises from looking at things, at people and from reading the signs of the times. Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing.
And we have made of ourselves living cesspools, and driven doctors to invent names for our diseases.
For where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defense.
I wonder do the gods know what it feels like to be a man.
How oft, in nations gone corrupt, And by their own devices brought down to servitude, That man chooses bondage before liberty. Bondage with ease before strenuous liberty.
You know what I think?" she says. "That people's memories are maybe the fuel they burn to stay alive. Whether those memories have any actual importance or not, it doesn't matter as far as the maintenance of life is concerned. They're all just fuel. Advertising fillers in the newspaper, philosophy books, dirty pictures in a magazine, a bundle of ten-thousand-yen bills: when you feed 'em to the fire, they're all just paper.
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