Paths to Contemplation - 35

Dangers faced in the first stage of spiritual development

Because a person in the early stages of spiritual growth is so tied to rules and, therefore, often views actions in terms of black and white rather than shades of gray, she risks becoming judgmental.  She has clear idea of what she needs to do in order to avoid sin and carry out those obligations necessary to avoid God’s punishment, and she, therefore, may see anyone who does not live in conformity with her views to be living in sin.  If she believes that a particular creedal formula is necessary for “salvation,” then anyone who does not adopt that particular formula will be seen as “lost.”  

There is, in this stage, also a risk of spiritual stagnation.  Such a person is sure of her opinions and will often refuse to consider alternative opinions, unless it is for the specific purpose of debunking them, or to develop strategies and arguments to convert those who hold them.   Since exposing herself to alternative religious views might be dangerous, prompting, for example, attacks by the devil to shake her faith, she may leave it to others she considers spiritually stronger than herself to engage in contacts with those, even other Christians, who hold  alternative views.  If one is unwilling to listen to the views of others, she is building a wall around herself that will insulate her from having to change her own views, which, for her, is precisely what she intends because she believes that this is what God wants of her.

Thus, if even God tries to call someone in this stage to a different form of prayer or a deeper relationship with God, he may resist because he cannot imagine that even God would act inconsistently with what he is certain God has ordained.  If God calls him to pray more spontaneously, or to act more in friendship than in fear, the call will often be resisted, not out of malice, but from a sincere desire to obey what he is sure is God’s will for him.  His church or denomination may reinforce his reluctance to deviate even slightly from the “straight and narrow” path by preaching that emphasizes that any departure from that path will lead to perdition and that any temptation to leave it is from Satan.

If someone is inside a safe place while he sees naught but danger outside of it, he would be foolish to leave it, but God is not a God of safety or comfort, and if someone is to continue to grow spiritually into the life of God, the attitudes and fears of this stage must be left behind.  I do not mean to imply, however, that even someone who stagnates in this stage may not reach a high level of holiness if that person clings tenaciously to what she truly believes is the will of God.  Holiness consists in conforming our wills to God’s will as best we can discern that will, even if our discernment is wrong.  It is those who recognize that God is calling them to a different mode of life, but refuse to cooperate because they are too comfortable where they are, that are in danger of slipping into a selfish complacency that they mistake for a healthy relationship with God.

Let us now look at the second stage of spiritual growth.