What do You Think about Disgust?
I grew up in a conservative Christian home. We were no strangers to legalism (pretty interchangeable with the word “Fundamentalism”), and were around a lot of legalism. I remember the taste of disgust in my mouth as I saw people not living the Christian life as I was—as I knew was right. As I’ve grown and feel more removed from some of what I grew up with, I’m surprised at how quickly I can get legalistic about other’s legalism. I walk out of one hole and fall into another (this explains that well).
Legalism is defined as strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code. John Piper says “Legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground of our acceptance with God.” Most of the time, when I see legalism, my first reaction is disgust at it. Digust is a feeling, and like anger, fear, happiness, surprise—feelings can be used for good or for bad. They are important to feel and to realize WHY you feel them. Letting them lead your life can have consequences.
Disgust is a feeling that has never served me well. I have never found it to help me become the person I want to be. I’ve found that when I feel this feeling, it is a clue for me to dig deeper: WHY am I feeling this? I’ve found that for me, disgust is tied to two things:
Fear and Pride
For example, I’ve been disgusted by how some Christian institutions have put rules ahead of, well, most everything.
Pride: I’d never be like that.
Fear: What if I’m like that?
Fear is another emotion to check out: why am I afraid of that? What do I need to change to surrender that fear to God? Pride is sin. Because the Bible says so, even I don’t completely understand it. The heart of pride is idolaty: thinking I can do and be what only God can do and be. Putting myself in the place that only God should be.
When I diagnose my disgust, I can understand why I am reacting so strongly to what I am seeing. I can learn what to let go of and what to repent of. And, when I practice this in my own life, I can hopefully give grace to others struggling with legalism.
What do you think about legalism? Is it the same as Fundamentalism? How can a strong reaction to legalism often be it’s own kind of legalism? When do you feel disgust? Why do you feel disgust? Is it a feeling you want to cultivate or resolve? Do you find fear and pride (normally a mix of the two) to be behind your disgust?