Spiritual formation does not aim at controlling action. This is an absolutely crucial point, and one that distinguishes spiritual formation in Christ from what, primarily, is aimed at in most twelve step groups. (Not to diminish the good such groups accomplish!) If in spiritual formation you focus on action alone, you will fall into the deadliest of legalisms and you will kill other souls and die yourself. You will get a social conformity. That has happened over and over again in the past, and it is where the various "spiritualities" past and present begin to exact a dreadful price—focusing on the outward activities and the actions, not on the inward person, not on the "spirit." God is looking for those who worship him in truth and in spirit. We cannot fake before God. We should remember that God looks on the heart, man looks on the outward appearance. To focus on action alone is to fall into pharisaism of the worst kind and to kill the soul.
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