The beginning of wisdom
is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging
the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

In Western thought, enlightenment is intertwined with self realization. The purpose of self-realization is to identify an individuals supposed true self and false self.

This is a very common practice in almost every expression of spirituality. More so, its fully ingrained into our western culture, and even into therapy and counseling sessions.

Just think of the last time some one said “Be true to your self.”

How about Disney? (for more on this topic, read this wonderful article from TGC here)

When we engage with our brothers and sisters who pursue spirituality, we should prepare to minister to them like Paul explains in his first letter to the Church of Corinth (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).

Perhaps, we can look at Christian “enlightenment” as a process which leads to knowing our true “self” or rather our identity, which ultimately may only be restored as image bearers in a new creation by the grace and mercy of God. This conversation may help reveal the struggle of “spirit vs flesh”.

Paul writes in Roman’s 6:12–14 (LEB):

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires, 13 and do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will not be master over you, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Our true self before Christ was ruled by sin, but now our true self is free in Christ. We need to live with this reality. We are now “instruments of righteousness”.

We are “enlightened” in grace, and free from the condemnation of the law!

I like what Paul says at the end of this section:

Romans 6:21–23 (LEB): Therefore what sort of fruit did you have then, about which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, having been set free from sin and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit leading to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. 23 For the compensation due sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What sort of fruit did vain spirituality produce? Nothing! Just death! But now free, you produce fruit that leads your spirit in a process of sanctification! What a gift this eternal life is!

Are you ready to investigate real spiritual transformation? Are you ready for real enlightenment?

Take the first step, today.