All Problems are Spiritual

April 28, 2025

The early Christians did not shy away from proclaiming that Jesus Christ was crucified. Paul writes, “But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (I Corinthians 1:23). Jesus died an especially agonizing and humiliating death, the kind of death reserved for rebellious slaves, political rebels, traitors, enemies, or criminals. The Jewish historian Josephus, who lived in the first century A.D., and was an eye witness to many gruesome crucifixions, characterized this form of execution as “the most wretched of deaths.” The Romans liked crucifixion because it crushed rebellion completely. No one wanted to be associated with a crucified prisoner for any reason, period.

Remembering such facts makes it all the more meaningful that Jesus transformed this symbol of agonizing, humiliating death into the greatest symbol of hope the world has ever known, and will ever know. The days following Jesus’ crucifixion were dangerous days for the disciples because the Romans were quick to crucify anyone suspected of being a follower of the crucified prisoner.

In spite of such danger, the disciples preached with boldness after receiving the Holy Spirit as reported in the Book of Acts. For example, Peter and John healed a lame man in the name of Jesus in Acts 3:1-10. They are arrested by the religious elite and put on trial for doing so. Peter and John have big problems. What are they? They could be killed or crucified, tortured, jailed, or all of these.

It is noteworthy that Peter and John do not think this is their biggest problem. In fact, given the way they preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for us, they are completely unconcerned with this problem. We read in Acts 4:10, Peter looks his accusers in the eyes and says, “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by this name this man stands here before you in good health.”

So, what do Peter and John think their biggest problem is? Read Acts 4 and it will be clear that their biggest concern is being obedient to God. They are threatened that if they keep preaching they will pay a price. It is a price they pay without thinking twice, for it would be worse if they had to live life separated from Jesus because of their lack of faith.

All through the Book of Acts we see examples of the disciples thinking spiritually about every problem they faced, which the world would think about in a worldly way, to save oneself, to find comfort, and avoid unnecessary pain.

One of the many lessons those early disciples teach us from their response to worldly problems is that all problems are spiritual. When they are faced with crucifixion by the leaders of the day, the spiritual answer is to be obedient to God. When you and I are looking for solutions to our hardest problems we need to understand the spiritual problems that underlie the problem, and solve those to find the true and complete solution to the problems we face.

An example of an earthly problem that causes no end to struggle for the vast majority of people are financial problems. There is never enough money. The world teaches that we have to work harder and earn more, so we can compete in the great competition, “Whoever has the most toys wins!” Only a very very small percentage of people win if we look at money this way. The Bible says that money is a gift from God, and He requires we give 10% back to help us refrain from worshipping money. If we do this God will open the flood gates of heaven and provide for all our NEEDS (Malachi 3:10). Otherwise, our idolatry of money will cause a spiritual problem, and we will never have enough money. So, the spiritual solution to financial problems is to start tithing. This will allow God to help solve the financial problems. If you doubt this, go find someone who tithes, and ask them why they think this is true. I promise you, everyone who tithes believes this is true.

What problems do you struggle with in your life? Can you find the spiritual problem you face to solve the problem a different way? Do you struggle with weight and health problems? Do you struggle with any relationships? Do you struggle with arrogance? How loving and forgiving are you? If you can discover the spiritual issue related to these very real worldly problems, and then make changes in the way you live, I think you will start living a life that truly glorifies God. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional).