A Form of Godliness But Denying The Power Thereof | Wisdom & Instruction From Saint Paul The Apostle

Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof. What might these words of wisdom and instruction from Saint Paul The Apostle really mean? In my own observation and inference at an experiential level of discernment they have a poignantly different meaning than what mainstream, traditional, and Orthodox Christianity has suggested throughout the ages. When taken and applied as instruction and guidance in the context of today’s spiritual communities and vast proliferation of spirituality the meaning is both enlightening and advisory.

It’s recorded in 2 Timothy 3:5-7 that Saint Paul The Apostle gave the following instruction to Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:5-7 NLT

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)

It’s important to note before going further that the above reference to (woman) should not strictly be taken as a directive to women. Absolutely not. The feminine is always the receptive of our innermost being. It is that aspect of that which is most receptive in us by nature in this world of duality as woman.   

The above verses in today’s culture really speak to the misuse of alluring, shiny yet hollow regurgitated spiritual concepts and instruction that proliferate the internet today. It’s beautiful and refreshing that we have such a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom and teachings readily available in our digital age to assist us in our awakening process.

The serious spiritual aspirant has immediate access online to more teachings and religious text than ever before in history. This also opens up the opportunity for misinformation being generated. There’s the ever-present temptation for some to use such practises and teachings without integrity and good intention. As in using them to bind and spiritually enslave others to oneself as in intentionally cultivating a following of admirers. 

It’s no secret that there are many among us who both intentionally and unintentionally use the allure of spiritual knowledge and teachings to lure in the naive. Many of these teachers are spiritually blind themselves hence the blind leading the blind analogy.  We’ve all been naive at times and until one is firmly established in the truth of their own being (Self) and the third eye (spiritual discernment) is fully opened and operating significantly and not to mention connected fully and cohesively operating with one’s own pure heart space, we are prone to being misguided down one of the many cul de sacs of spirituality.

Let’s look at verse 1 They will act religious (insert spiritual as well here), but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Yes you read that part correctly… “could make them Godly”. Other translations state Paul’s verse 1 as “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  

Now let’s look at “form” in reference to Paul’s statement “Having a form of godliness.” There is the form of a thing or practice and then there is the “essence” of a thing or practise. An example might be burning Sage. A practice I also do intuitively from time to time and practically always before and during my morning and evening meditations or sittings.

Another “form” could be what people like to call “gounding”. Again I intuitively go barefoot at times outside not because I’m into the “form” of it but simply because it is the most natural thing a human can do that does in fact do great things for you on many levels. Yet I cringe a bit on the inside when another observes my natural behavior and says they like how I “ground”! Grounding is a label my friend. It is the “form” and label. You may just be missing the “power thereof” if you’re not careful. Take your shoes off and roam the earth innocently and deliberately as you did when you were a child and be done with this “form label”.

Tons of the above mentioned “practices” and teachings have been handed down to us through the ages by teachers, masters, and enlightened beings. From Jesus to the Buddha these beings fully embodied (and did not deny the power thereof) the ONE. I’m thankful for their pointers and teachings but even more grateful to realize it’s not the form or the thing. It’s the power thereof. The ONE.