What is "spiritually dead?"

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
D

Depleted

Guest
#1
Do you believe anyone is spiritually dead? If you do, then what does that mean?

And, if you don't, then what do you believe instead?

I'm not asking this time because I don't know. And I might even get into preaching my prove-a-point, however, this is more about if we can agree there is such a thing. And if we do, then is there a difference between "spiritually dead," and "spiritually alive?"

Because, in my mind that's something like asking "What's the difference between being pregnant and partially pregnant?" In both cases, you either are or aren't. There is no middle ground!

So, again what is "spiritually dead?"
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#2
People are spiritually dead before they are born again by the Holy spirit.

"What" is it?

Separation from God.
 

Budman

Senior Member
Mar 9, 2014
4,153
1,998
113
#3
A spiritually dead person is one separated from God because of sin. That's how a person can be physically alive, but God considers them "dead". (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13)

The Holy Spirit dwelling in a believer is what gives them spiritual life.
 
N

NoNameMcgee

Guest
#4
A spiritually dead person is one separated from God because of sin. That's how a person can be physically alive, but God considers them "dead". (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13)

The Holy Spirit dwelling in a believer is what gives them spiritual life.
People are spiritually dead before they are born again by the Holy spirit.

"What" is it?

Separation from God.

late to the party....

couldnt have said it better than this
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#5
People are spiritually dead before they are born again by the Holy spirit.

"What" is it?

Separation from God.
So the spiritually dead can do spiritually? They live and move and have their spiritual being, except it is apart from God?
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#6
I'm alarmed that everyone thinks death means functioning fine, systems normal, except apart from God.
 
Dec 28, 2016
5,455
236
63
#7
Thanks for this thread, Sister "Fly, Eagles, Fly!"
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#8
Thanks for this thread, Sister "Fly, Eagles, Fly!"
As much as you are exactly right with "Fly, Eagles, Fly,"* you don't escape that easily. lol

What is spiritually dead to you? :p



* Footnote to anyone not aware of what's going on in American football. The Philadelphia Eagles are facing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl -- aka "the championship game." I'm Philadelphian, so guess where my loyalties lie. lol
 
N

NoNameMcgee

Guest
#9
I'm alarmed that everyone thinks death means functioning fine, systems normal, except apart from God.
i didnt see anyone say that...


where you looking for a specific answer?

little miss lynn?
:p
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,420
12,905
113
#10
I'm alarmed that everyone thinks death means functioning fine, systems normal, except apart from God.
People can be very much alive, functioning fine, systems normal, and yet be spiritually dead -- separated from God. So there is nothing to be alarmed about.

Man is a tripartite being --body, soul, and spirit -- but God puts the spirit ahead of the soul and the body. The spirit is within the soul but distinct from the soul, and it is dead at birth (since all human beings are born separated from God). The spirit is that part of man which can communicate with God and comprehend spiritual things. And until and unless the Holy Spirit enters a sinner's spirit, it remains dead. However, when a sinner repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he or she receives the GIFT of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit is the one who "quickens" (or brings to life) the spirit at the moment of regeneration, and then indwells the spirit continuously.

Sinners are NOT regenerated first and then start believing and repenting. They must FIRST believe and repent and then they are regenerated. That is when the spirit can begin to truly have a relationship with the Godhead and also understand spiritual things. That is why Jesus said Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:3,5).
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#12
Shall we consult the bible? Where do we see the beginning of all this dead stuff?

Why Genesis is where we should look. The adversary taunted Eve with a question very similar to this one. Surely you won't die if you eat says the adversary. Eve ate and did not drop over dead. Eve gave to Adam and he ate. Adam did not drop over dead either. So physical death is not the same a spiritual death.

Spiritual death is separation from God which now requires restoration or the soul is doomed to spend eternity apart from God.

Hab 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
#13
Being alienated from God - out of relationship with him.

Rom 7:9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died.

Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Col 1:21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
 
Dec 28, 2016
5,455
236
63
#14
As much as you are exactly right with "Fly, Eagles, Fly,"* you don't escape that easily. lol

What is spiritually dead to you? :p



* Footnote to anyone not aware of what's going on in American football. The Philadelphia Eagles are facing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl -- aka "the championship game." I'm Philadelphian, so guess where my loyalties lie. lol
Being under God’s wrath.
Totally and utterly hating Him.
Wanting to serve Him is not even the low man on the totem pole. It’s like 500 feet underground.
Running from Him, not to Him.
Church is the last place the lost want to go.

Will this suffice?

#hopeso
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#15
As much as you are exactly right with "Fly, Eagles, Fly,"* you don't escape that easily. lol

What is spiritually dead to you? :p



* Footnote to anyone not aware of what's going on in American football. The Philadelphia Eagles are facing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl -- aka "the championship game." I'm Philadelphian, so guess where my loyalties lie. lol
Rooting for the Eagles eh? Could qualify as desiring disappointment but not spiritual death.

You have given me a good reason to root for the Patriots. Just my contrary nature.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#16
Being under God’s wrath.
Totally and utterly hating Him.
Wanting to serve Him is not even the low man on the totem pole. It’s like 500 feet underground.
Running from Him, not to Him.
Church is the last place the lost want to go.

Will this suffice?

#hopeso
God created man with a need in his heart that only God can satisfy. Man is incurably religious. Even the "darkest" heathen go about to satisfy their need for a god by creating one from nature. Romans one reveals as much quite clearly.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,188
113
#17
Rooting for the Eagles eh? Could qualify as desiring disappointment but not spiritual death.

You have given me a good reason to root for the Patriots. Just my contrary nature.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
There is never a good reason to root for the Patriots.

Unless they were playing against North Korea or Iran or something... Even then I'm not 100% sure....
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#18
There is never a good reason to root for the Patriots.

Unless they were playing against North Korea or Iran or something... Even then I'm not 100% sure....
Kinda' feel the same way about the Eagles. Would have preferred the Steelers and the Vikings but its been that kind of year with all the protests and such. Loosing interest at an incredible rate. When the Cowboys and the Eagles play I hope they both lose.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#19
I believe it is a truth that people die or are dead spiritually and that being born again from above by incorruptable seed is the only cure.

Paul said he was ALIVE once without the law and that when the law came, sin revived and he died. I believe this speaks to Paul as a child and being spiritually alive and that when the time came that he became aware of his sin due to the law that he died spiritually and from that point forward needed to he reborn again from above.

He had not died physically so that leaves only one option...spiritually....

The same happened with Adam in the garden...they were UNAWARE of both GOOD and EVIL AND even being naked until sin opened their eyes (eating of the tree of the knowledge of GOOD AND EVIL).

To be spiritually dead = no understanding of God and NO communion with God. <--just a small summation
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,188
113
#20
God created man with a need in his heart that only God can satisfy.
I absolutely 100% agree with this statement.

Man is incurably religious.
We would have to define terms as this is pretty vague.

Even the "darkest" heathen go about to satisfy their need for a god by creating one from nature. Romans one reveals as much quite clearly.
Not necessarily their need for a god but a need to appease God in some way. Most religions believing that it is their own work and what they do that appeases God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Roger that...