Fluffy or Solid?

Personal confession. When it comes to ladies' events, such as retreats, luncheons, conferences, and so on, I haven't always had a very positive attitude. Hopefully I'm getting better at this, but historically several aspects have annoyed me.

First, there has probably been a fleshly tendency that has rebelled against the possibility that God might want to change me, and that such change might be called for through the event. Second, I have become annoyed when I observed other ladies being all excited, like somehow this would be a magical experience in which God would totally transform them, somehow far more significant than the other spiritual input that they regularly received and didn't get excited about. Third, I have too often been disappointed by the content of such meetings; sadly, they have sometimes focused disproportionately on a clever theme that didn't correlate well with Biblical truth, or on personal stories that were primarily emotional or entertaining.

While the first aspect must be a concern for me personally, and the second aspect potentially reflects poor perspective by others, the third aspect is a concerning trend within the broader realm of Christianity. A Christian ladies' meeting should have purpose and substance. It should not be to entertain or to tickle the ears. In order to be spiritually significant, an event must have substance. Unfortunately, many ladies have left such events believing them to have been successful and beneficial, when they were actually on the shallow side. Because these ladies laughed a lot or cried a lot or remained interested during the sessions, they perceived those sessions as meaningful.

Such events can be truly meaningful, however, only when they have spiritual depth. Ladies need the truth of God's Word just as much as men do. The challenges that women face are answered through the Bible just like they are for men. Ladies too need an ever-deepening understanding of the Bible and must be progressively challenged by it. Interesting themes and heart-wrenching stories don't provide what any believers truly need. In order to be edified and encouraged, all Christians need something solid, not fluffy.

Whose fault is a "fluffy" event? It might be the speaker's fault. The chosen speaker might unfortunately be a better entertainer than expositor and might not share the depth of spiritual purpose that is intended for an event. It might be the planners' fault. Either the planners deliberately promote enjoyment over substance, or they inadvertently divert away from spiritual depth through their choice of a theme that isn't very Biblical or through a disproportionate emphasis on other activities. It might be the audience's fault. If over the history of an event, the audience demonstrates a preference for entertainment over substance, the event might progressively cater to that preference.

Christian ladies, like all Christians, must not settle for fluff. They should choose wisely the events they attend, selecting options that have historically demonstrated an emphasis on substance. When Christians leave such an event, their strongest and most valuable impression should be about the sound teaching, not about the food, entertainment, fellowship, theme, or decorations.

Christians should choose their reading material wisely. Even many Christian books are filled with worldly philosophies. Characters in fictional books are often consumed with worldly ambitions, and their examples look more like the world than a believer. A steady diet of Christian romances is unhealthy and contributes to discontent. Christian biographies, on the other hand, can be inspiring and challenging, and books on theology or Christian growth can be instructional.

Christians should choose devotional material wisely. A devotional must provide more than a feel-good story at the beginning of the day. It must have more spiritual depth than a single Bible verse written at the top of the page before telling a story and never again mentioning the Bible. The content must not be purely from the secular world (nature, experience, object lesson), but must direct the reader's thoughts to the Bible.

Christians should choose their churches wisely. A pastor who mostly tells stories or who regularly relies on jokes is not doing his duty to preach the Word effectively. The sermons must habitually focus on presenting and explaining the Bible. Sunday school classes can't be primarily fellowship or open sharing of every person's opinion. The Bible must be central in the church, actively and accurately taught.

Christian growth comes through the Bible. Christian events must center around Biblical teaching. Christian books must teach or at least support Biblical truth. Devotional material must facilitate understanding of the Bible. Churches must promote the Bible as their central focus. "Avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called 'knowledge' - which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith" (I Timothy 6:20-21).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Entertaining stories, personal experiences, nifty themes, extended illustrations, and constant fellowship cannot be the dominating substance in the Christian experience. Just as eating fluff will leave a person filled with blubber, so a fluffy Christian diet will leave a believer with little strength. Life is not easy, and when the storms and trials come, a Christian must have a strong foundation and a strong core. This strength will come from a firm footing and a thorough knowledge of the Bible. Instead of remembering a cute story about a butterfly or a waterfall, a believer will have understanding of Biblical truth and Biblical promises that can give true help. With some Biblical substance, a Christian can walk through life and can stand for God. With only fluff, he will falter and fall. Don't settle for fluff. "Their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in Your law" (Psalm 119:70).

"Strengthen me according to Your word. Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law" (Psalm 119:28-29).