Spiritual Taste

Job 12:11 “Does not the ear try words and the mouth taste his meat?”

In the 1746 book “Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections”, written during the American Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards writes that the gracious leading of the Holy Spirit that indwells the Believer saved by Christ, instructs one in his duty and powerfully induces him to comply with that instruction. Such guidance is given by spiritual discernment and taste of that which has in it true moral beauty. This holy sensibility discerns and distinguishes between good and evil, and between holy and unholy without the need of any logical reading. He who has a true relish of external beauty knows what is beautiful by looking at it. He needs no train of reasoning to do so. Whoever has a taste for gourmet food does not need reasoning on order to know good food. Likewise, if an unworthy or unholy action is suggested to the spiritually discerning, a sanctified eye sees no beauty in it nor is pleased with it. Sanctified taste will only be nauseated by it. In this way, a holy person is led by the Spirit by having a holy taste and disposition of heart. Such a one judges what is “right” in the eyes of the Lord spontaneously without making any particular deductions or by having any arguments.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. To have a sense of taste is to give things their real value and not to be dazzled with false lusters or be deceived in any way. Taste and judgment then are the same thing. And yet it is easy to discern the difference. The judgment forms its opinion from reflection whereas taste reacts immediately and anticipates all reflection. There is also spiritual taste which true Christians have to guide them and give them discernment by the Spirit of God. Where grace is strong and living, this holy disposition and spiritual taste will enable the soul to determine right and becoming actions. Real Christians know readily and exactly without further need of other abilities. For example, if a man is very good natured, he will treat others with kindness. His good nature will influence him on each occasion to behave in speech and action I a way that is consistent with true goodness and a very different quality of kindness than someone who has all the capacities but not a disposition of heart. He has a spirit within him that motivates him. He senses habitual attitudes that prompt him to act spontaneously. So spiritual disposition and godly taste teach and guide a man in his behavior in the world.

Ephesians 4:22-24 “ that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

So too will the spirit of love to God in holy fear and reverence towards Him and with filial confidence in God and a heavenly-mindedness, teach and guide a man in his behavior. But it is exceedingly difficult for an unrighteous man, who is destitute of Christian principles in his heart, to know how to behave like a Christian in all the life, beauty, and heavenly sweetness of such a holy and humble character. He does not know how to put on such garments, nor do they fit him. Spiritual taste greatly helps a soul in reasoning upon the Word of God and in judging the true meaning of its rules. It removes the prejudices of a depraved appetite and leads the thoughts naturally in the right way. It casts light on the Word of God and causes the true meaning most naturally to come to mind, because there is a harmony between the disposition and relish of a sanctified soul and the true meaning of the rules of God’s Word.

Romans 12: 2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Have extraordinary spiritual taste. Bon Appetit, In Christ, Brian