It's not your IQ, it is your SQ.

It’s not your IQ; it is your SQ.

SQ is not something I made up. Spiritual quotient is a way to talk about awareness of the needs of others, about compassion, about our responsiveness to God. IQ, a way of measuring a person’s ability to reason, to solve problems, and to learn began to be studied in earnest about a century ago.  Educators use IQ measures, among other indicators, to provide the best kind of learning environment for students of varying abilities.  While some make much of innate intelligence as a predictor of success, SQ is what we really need to understand.  A person high on the IQ scale, but low in SQ, may well be smart, but is he wise?

The Bible says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV) “The LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." (Proverbs 2:5-8, NIV)  IQ may be largely fixed by our heritage, early development, and/or nutrition. SQ is a gift of God that each of us can enjoy if we are willing to let Him work in us!

The beginning point is, in Jesus’ words, “new birth.”  We are incapable of responding to God apart from the Spirit giving us life.   In faith we "accepted him,” and “He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, NLT)  But, the work of developing a high SQ, only begins at the Cross of Christ Jesus.  Just as a child must be educated to develop his innate intelligence, we must be discipled to grow in grace, to become people of the Spirit.  This is not about learning to be religious.  A smart person can argue fine points of dogma.  Only those who are filled with the Spirit can be wise in the ways of God. So a high SQ is developed in those who look higher, who let God teach them to love, who practice the disciplines of the Spirit that open their minds and hearts to be receptive to spiritual truth.

Are you content simply to take care of your daily needs, to find food, to build a store of financial resources, to build a few supportive relationships that allow you to live in relative comfort? That is the focus of IQ and those who live with that focus are natural creatures.  God whispers to us, “you were made for more than this.”  He offers to love us, lead us, and allow us to share His life.  When we respond with faith, when we open up to Christ, the Spirit comes and in Him we find SQ!  

Here’s a word from the Word.  As you read it, ask yourself about your SQ – spiritual quotient. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, NIV)

Abba, I am grateful for your gift of love.

Develop the fruit of Your Spirit life in me.

Lead me through the exercises of Your holy classroom

To develop love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control –

So that others will know that You are my Father,

And so that I will enrich those among whom I live.

Christ Jesus, be Lord of my mind and my heart!

Amen