Chapter 8


FACTORS THAT DETERMINE SPIRITUAL LEVEL

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


The Factors
         Several factors determine one's spiritual level. Among them, are the following:
1. Birth
2. Selflessness
3. Compatibility
4. Crave for power and fame
5. Vulnerability
6. Environment
7. Religious path
8. Religious leaders
9. Personal interest and effort
10. Attachment

The Effect Of Birth On Spiritual
         People reincarnate. Each time a person is re-born, he starts to re-learn all things about physical and mental dimensions of life. Physically, he has to re-learn his environment, how to use things, etc. Mentally, he starts academic pursuit from the nursery and elementary levels of education. Spiritually, it is different. He continues from his spiritual level in the last incarnation. (He continues from where he stopped.)
         This is the reason why you notice that in a class, a student is more brilliant than his mates. He continues from his last spiritual level. This explains why a visioner, who visits motherless babies home, may be surprised to see an adult or aged person among the children, spiritually. A person, who was at a spiritual level of 70% in the last incarnation, continues from the level of 70%, though he may be one of the youths. That was the case between Daniel, Shedrack, Meshack, and Abadnego on the one hand, and the Babylonians on the other hand.

18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. Daniel 1:18-21

The Effect Of Selflessness On Spiritual Level
         The ultimate goal of everybody is to loose his ego, and attain union with God. Engagement in selfless services diminishes, and phases out, the ego. Therefore, a selfless person rises higher and faster on the scale of spiritual level.

The Effect Of Compatibility On Spiritual Level
         Many conflicts in marriage and family arise from the issue of compatibility. Because people are ignorant of spiritual level, they cannot manage conflicts very well. The result becomes crisis in the family and society. Consider a case where a spiritual man marries a worldly woman. The man would be considerate, tolerant and forgiving. While the worldly woman would be inconsiderate, intolerant and unforgiving, The man would like a quarrel to be settled, but the wife would like it to drag on for years. Even, the wife will blame the man for being weak, shy and afraid.

The Effect Of Religious Path On Spiritual Level
         Some religions provide an easier and faster spiritual growth. It is like a line of vehicles on the road. Those that follow a moving car, move faster, while those that follow a slow vehicle become unnecessarily delayed for a long time.
         That is why Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdoom of God ...” He knew that there will be obstacles. Therefore, he warned every believer to “seek,” not just to believe and become complacent. I advise everybody to seek out those who know the Truth, so that you can learn from them, and grow in spirit and in truth. To seek and know the Truth, to grow in spirit and in truth, is different from being an ordinary church memmber.

The Effect Of Religious Leaders On Spiritual Level
         The unpleasant fact is that majority of the religious leaders are spiritually ignorant. That is why such leaders are called blind leaders.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Matthew 15:14

What is more? Whoever that follows a blind man, makes himself a blind fellow. …Raphael Nweze

Let us read more in Matthew 23

13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13

The Effect Of Personal Interest And Effort On Spiritual Level
         Much depends on personal interest and effort. Without personal interest and effort, you cannot climb to the mountain top where the “Golden City” is.
         It is by personal effort that you will progress from one level of life to a higher level or if you so wish demote yourself to a lower level. You may belong to a church or practice a religion collectively. That is good. But, bear in mind that the journey back to God is a personal assignment, and that none can do it for another (Parable of the Ten Virgins).

8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' Matthew 25:8-10

Because of necessary personal effort, Jesus said,

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:21

         You will be surprised to learn that heavenly treasures are available to everybody, waiting for whoever that seeks to find!
(From Everlasting Wonders By Raphael Nweze)

The Effect Of Vulnerability On Spiritual Level
         In this world, there are witches, cultists and members of secret societies. Also, from time to time, numerous demons hold meetings on how to wreak havoc on mankind. Even without people knowing this to be true.
         Besides, there are ghosts, the spirits of evil men who are dead. All these agents of darkness are always at work to mislead, steal, kill and destroy mankind. They engage in various forms of evil practices and manipulations to debase mankind.
         The unfortunate thing is that people do not know that such a terrible war is going on against them.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

         Another unfortunate thing is that majority of people are at spiritual level below 20%. That means that people are easily vulnerable to the evil spirits. That is why ministers of God are everyday casting out evil spirits from people. That is why there is persistent moral decadence. The evil spirits are bent on deceiving people, and yet people do not know that they are being deceived or misled into Hell.
         The only way to protect oneself against the agents and forces of darkness is to rise higher on the scale of spiritual level. The higher, the better. At a stage, it becomes hard, and even impossible, for the evil spirits to attack, manipulate or mislead a person.

The Effect Of Environment On Spiritual Level
         The whole environment was cool, quiet, peaceful and serene. There was no fear, no doubt, no sin, no error, no failure, no mistake, no infirmity, no intimidation and no inferiority complex. It was like a cool, clear and bright moonlight. Everywhere was silent, and yet lively. (From Everlasting Wonders By Raphael Nweze)

         It is quite disappointing that our environments are generally noisy. Noise is a nuisance. Noise is not good to our spiritual growth. Worse still, the vehicles and music shops keep worsening the situation, out of carelessness, indifference and worldliness.
         Generally, people want social gatherings, boisterous occasions and everyday bustlings. They do not know that their spirituality is being devalued more and more. The result has been crisis, conflicts, stress, sickness and untimely death. Truly, the quiet and peaceful rural environment is more beneficial for our spiritual growth than the everyday bustling and hustling activities of city life.

Come away to lonely place,
and have rest for your souls.

         How ignorant man is. Nowadays, few seek the calmness, peace and serenity of the woods, flower gardens and reserved areas. Worst still, our relaxation parks are built in the midst of noise and commotion.

The Effect Of Attachment (Possessiveness) On Spiritual Level

         By attachment, you believe that your life depends on the object. Removing the object is like taking away your life from you. You believe that without the object you cannot live or succeed. You feel that your prestige, self-worth, self-honour and happiness depend on it. In such a situation, the object is manipulating and controlling you, making you a slave to it. Such are the trappings of wealth; greed, pride, envy, jealousy, dependency etc. All which amount to idolatry and worldliness.
         Attachment pulls you down, and prevents you from progressing spiritually. At death, it binds you to the world of matter so that you cannot ascend to the heavens. That is why Jesus said that the rich and wealthy shall weep and mourn, if they put their trust in their possessions and fail to humble themselves and benefit their fellow mankind.
         Another name for attachment is possessiveness, which means the character of people, whereby they love to cling to power, fame and possession.
         That is why politics in undeveloped countries become a “do or die” affair, or a case of winner takes all. The love for power and fame is evident in the medical, physical, financial, political and academic fields of life. Indeed, people love power and fame. That is why they can do anything to get power and fame (prestige).
         Unfortunately, they do not know that power and fame, when used for selfish purposes, slides one down the spiritual level. Just as in their earthly life, their hearts become attached to worldliness, at death, they cannot rise to the heavens. Jesus said it clearly, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26-27

More On Attachment (Possessiveness)
         The law of attachment states that we become one with whatever we attach ourselves to. Then, we live as if our life, our honour, our prestige and our worth depend on those objects of attachment. This is dangerous. That is why many are dying prematurely, and some are developing hypertension. All because they believe and think that their life and self-worth depend on things of life.
         A lady who is so much attached to her beautiful dress, would spend hours, even days, regretting a stain on the dress. On the other hand, the person who is not attached to his dress simply changes the dress without minding the stain and life goes on.
         Those who do not easily forgive, harm themselves by attaching themselves to the wrongs. That is why it is not good for your anger to extend unto the evening or next day.
         Jesus made it clear. Your life does not depend on earthly possessions or honours. It is enough to have what is sufficient in our lives.
         Your thoughts are like tiny threads. The more you think, the more the thread grow bigger and bigger. Being forces of nature, the threads can pull us into pleasant or unpleasant situations. St. Paul was emphatic when he advised, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philipines 4:8

         Attachment means you are rejecting heavenly life, without knowing it.
You practice attachment, if you:
  1. Quickly get angry.
  2. Easily get affected by what people say or think about you.
  3. Allow your mood to go up and down often. If you are prone to mood swing.
  4. Let insignificant details annoy you.
  5. Let unpleasant incidents destroy your whole day.
  6. Are always complaining, nagging, murmuring or displeased.
  7. Do not happily welcome people.
  8. Do not mind how others feel.
  9. Do not allow others profit from you.
  10. Many people, especially women, practice emotional attachment, while men attach themselves to wealth and honour. And attachment is not good for their souls.
         On several occasions, Jesus warned against attachment. You can change this situation, by developing some inner detachment. You will still encounter disturbing circumstances and disturbing people, from time to time. However, your attitude towards them, and the way you react, would change for your own good. You gain unimaginable freedom relief and happiness, if you can stay calm and poised in the face of changing life situations. You then save yourself from much physical, emotional and mental discomfort, upset, anger or dissatisfaction.

I found the kingdom of heaven ready and open,
but people refuse to enter therein
and have rest for their souls.
How correct Jesus was.
All because they are have attachments,
Which are cares and worries.