Spirituality Information

Am I W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.? Are you?


If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right software, you can create web pages the easy way, or you can save the money and struggle writing it all in HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML). With HTML, you have to imagine what each finished page will look like. With web-design software, nothing is left for you to figure out: "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG). The same is true of a number of different computer graphics applications. The best software is always WYSIWYG.

From the very beginning of the human race, God has wanted us to be WYSIWYG. Sin is what prompted the fig leaves and all the other means of hiding what we really are, think, and do. Yet God keeps calling us back to the open transparency of Eden.

The sage of Jerusalem put it this way: "The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook" (Prov. 18:4). In other words, just as you don't know what's at the bottom of a deep-flowing river, you can't tell whether people's words truly reveal their intentions, unless they are wise enough to be as clear as a bubbling brook.

Paul told the Thessalonians that his motives were obvious; he had nothing to hide (1 Thess. 2:3-6). He tells the Corinthians he has laid his mouth and his heart open, as if for their inspection (2 Cor. 6:11), and he denies having used any manipulation (2 Cor. 7:2).

We Christians must learn to be WYSIWYG people, with regard to confessing our sins (1 John 1:9), revealing our motives (1 Cor. 4:5), and, like Jesus, communicating clearly (John 18:20; Col. 4:4). When people can trust us as easily as a hiker who steps into a bubbling brook, they can learn to trust the One of whom we speak: the Savior whose motives and whose love are always as transparent as crystal. Nobody likes to be manipulated or deceived.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."


MORE RESOURCES:

Religion vs. spirituality in Indonesian literature
Jakarta Post, Indonesia - Oct 10, 2008
In what is often said to be the Age of Uncertainty, many people are desperately seeking spiritual enlightenment. It is not surprising that a small survey ...


Hafez poetry is imbued with spirituality of Quran: Khorramshahi
Tehran Times, Iran - Oct 10, 2008
TEHRAN -- Hafez poetry is imbued with spirituality that emanates from the Quran, Hafez expert Baha’eddin Khorramshahi told MNA on the occasion of Hafez ...


Rice puts vampires behind her, focuses on spirituality
Deseret News, UT - 19 hours ago
Ten years ago, after awakening from a diabetic coma, Rice returned to spirituality and once again became a Catholic. This week, her memoir, "Called Out of ...


Spirituality and Credit
CBC.ca, Canada - Oct 9, 2008
If ever we wondered if the physical stuff we can touch is affected by spiritual realities in our heart, the economic storm that Wall Street launched on the ...


Temple Sinai speakers consider meaning of life
Independent Press, NJ - 11 hours ago
Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin will present "How to Find the Hidden Link between Spirituality and Your Work" on Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm Rabbi Salkin will consider whether ...


Upcoming programs focus on male spirituality
Catholic Star Herald, NJ - Oct 9, 2008
“Male Spirituality: A Spirituality of Imperfection” will be held Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 pm at St. Peter Celestine Parish, Cherry Hill, in the school ...


St. Francis Center marks 10 years
Staten Island Advance - SILive.com, NY - 16 hours ago
STATEN ISLAND, NY -- A Gala Celebration commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the St. Francis Center for Spirituality will be held in the Chapel of St. ...


'New atheism' is gaining its voice
Arizona Republic, AZ - 23 hours ago
"We do believe in spirituality," said David Cooper, 59, who belongs to Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church in Louisville. "It may not necessarily be a type of ...


Pastor seeks to enliven church image, spirituality
YourHub.com, CO - Oct 9, 2008
It's about 9:45 am Oct. 8 and while Pastor Peter Morin of Faith Lutheran Church types away at his computer, a dull thump, thump, thump echoes next to his ...


Indian spirituality meets musicality
Decaturian, IL - Oct 8, 2008
Rupayan, a spiritual music group touring America, gave audiences in Kaeuper Hall a taste of India without even leaving Decatur’s borders. ...

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