The Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Several years ago, my Uncle was killed in an accident. He was riding his bike along the road, staying to the shoulder, and being as careful as can be expected. At the same time, a mom and son were traveling down that same road. The son had dropped something and made a reasonable request for mom to retrieve this item for him. Had mom, put first things first, keeping her eyes on the road, her car would never have swerved for that brief second.

The distracted driver is a danger to all who are on the road with him. It only takes a brief second of looking at that cell phone, adjusting the music, putting on makeup, handling children, or zoning out to lose control and cause damage.

We, like the Corinthians, are in danger of being threatened by false teachings, of being deceived by a cunning serpent, and of losing control due to the noise and distractions of this life. Paul is concerned about the noise the false teachers are making, and he knows how easy it will be to trick or convince Christians to stray from Christ. In verse 14 of Second Corinthians, Paul goes on to say, “No wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

Not all distractions seem dangerous at the time; we must remain alert and put first things first.

“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with – that’s poverty – but how efficiently we can put first things first. When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar.” – Victoria Moran

The spiritual discipline of simplicity is intentionally getting rid of the things in our lives that hinder our walk with God. It is learning how to put first things first. It is about being clear about our purpose and our priorities. Just like Eve lost her focus when talking to the serpent, we can easily look away for the briefest of seconds and lose more than we thought was ever at stake.  

“We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity.” – A. W. Tozer

The search for a simple life is all the rage. I think the most ridiculous thing I have seen related to this trend is a sign for sale at Hobby Lobby that says simply Simplify. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around why anyone would make this purchase. How is cluttering your home with a sign simplifying anything?

But the Christian Discipline of simplicity is not about organizing our outward lifestyle. It is not found in the practice of sparking joy or thanking each item in your purge pile. Don’t get me wrong, I love to fill boxes of stuff for my local charities and get pretty excited when my husband agrees to help me clean out the attic. The problem with tackling the issue of simplicity by trying to avoid ending up on an episode of Hoarders is that it only addresses our external circumstances. The Scriptures call us to a simplicity that springs up from the heart of the one who loves God.

Has your life become overcrowded and confused? Is there anything in your life compromising your commitment to Christ? How can we minimize the distractions?

Here are a few suggestions to minimize the distractions from Let’s Cultivate Simplicity and Solitude by A.W.Tozer.

1. Retire from the world each day to some private spot.
2. Stay in the secret place until the surrounding noises begin to fade, and God’s presence envelops you.
3. Stop trying to compete with others.
4. Learn to pray inwardly every moment.
5. Read less but read more of what is vital to your inner life.
6. Never let your mind remain scattered for very long.
7. Call home your roving thoughts.
8. Gaze on Christ with the eyes of your soul.
9. Practice spiritual concentration.
10. Meditate on the Scriptures

Paul recognizes that since the days of Adam and Eve, we are easy prey to the distractions of the world. I know when I am feeling overwhelmed with the stuff of life, whether a cluttered attic or a too-full calendar, I must make certain that what matters most is not at the mercy of things that matter least. Perhaps you have experienced this phenomenon too.

“Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Heavenly Father, I do not want to be deceived like Eve. Open my eyes to the distractions around me. Help me to serve only you as Master and put aside my desires for what the world says is important. Guard my heart against false teachers and those who masquerade as agents of light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 “There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.” – Leo Tolstoy