Lessons In Truth - Lesson 8 - Annotation 9
Can one do too much "spiritual seeking"?
9. In reality one can never do too much "spiritual seeking" or seeking for God, However, we can do too much "intellectual seeking," thinking that we are attaining spiritual understanding by rushing to classes and lectures, reading book after book, without reaching the goal of our search, namely acquaintanceship with God.
Intellectual seeking may become so all-absorbing that we fail to fully grasp and use what we have learned. It is possible to read too many books, and hear too many lectures, because our mind becomes cluttered with knowledge about God and His laws, rather than becoming more consciously aware of His presence within; we then suffer from what has been called "mental indigestion." The parable of the sower tells of some seed falling on rocky places that had "no deepness of earth ... they had no root" (Matt. 13:5, 6). When we do only intellectual seeking for spiritual things the seeds of Truth do not get into the depths of our being, thus they put down no roots in our consciousness. We need to be rooted and grounded in Truth, not merely to have a theoretical understanding of facts, but
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love . . . know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge" (Eph. 3:17, 18, 19).
Too much intellectual seeking can actually be selfishness when it is only for outer knowledge about Truth. Spiritual understanding is not something we hoard for ourselves or store up for future use. It causes us to unfold through loving service to God and man. Jesus taught, "Give, and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38). Service to others, when motivated by love and faith, is one of the steps by which we attain spiritual understanding, for we grow by sharing. Such service does not always mean doing things in the outer, for our truest service is often that which is given in prayer and in thought. For someone needing help there are times when a silent prayer of blessing can do more than any outer act or gift. When our seeking for Truth includes the sharing of faith, power, and understanding with others, we increase the expression and manifestation of these spiritual gifts in our own life.
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Preceding Entry: What are some of the results experienced by us when we attain spiritual understanding?
Following Entry: What is the law of growth? Can we receive understanding of the whole Spirit of God at once?
