What Is a Spiritual “Dweeb” ?

1/31/2025

1) What is a “spiritual dweeb”?

2) Are you one?

A spiritual dweeb is someone who works hard to keep their behavior in line but never surprises you “like the wind”—like our Master. When they walk by, you might say, “What a nice, hard-working man or woman,” but you don’t say, “Jesus just passed by.”

I don’t want to say “exactly” too early, but exactly.

Growing up we used that word to describe people who knew how to behave or look like they were “succeeding” but in reality they didn’t know how to REALLY LIVE.

Reminds me of a recent thought about the “concept” of faith. In English, there is a word—faith—that means “holding on.” “I’ll just keep holding on because I have faith that ____.” But Real faith is “letting go.” The dweeb is still holding on.

“I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:5

I would still have to say, yes, I am waaaayyyy tooooo much of a dweeb! Like the verse above, I truly love what I have heard of Yesu, and I want to copy—to mimic what Earth ears have seen and heard out of true admiration. But there is SUCH A DIFFERENT realm to be discovered by moment by moment, denying myself and refusing to think this earth has anything for me, and instead moment by moment hitching my wagon to His STAR and living only for His Dream! That has got to be where mimicry falls away, and the wind of Heaven rushes through! I want to Live there always.

I had a dream last night on the topic. It was obvious in the dream just how easy it is to get caught up in this present age. One can talk about spiritual things, be involved with people who are involved in spiritual things, or even get excited about things that have no meaning whatsoever. Disconnected dweeb life is a parallel universe with no power, no actual excitement about things that are actually important, but still busy around the topic of spiritual things or around some other topic. Sad. Pretense isn’t even the right word because a spiritual dweeb (I’m not meaning to be insulting - just to make a distinction) isn’t even aware of what is real to actually pretend. They just accept what’s around them, probably grab some of the vocabulary, and do what they do because “it seems like a good spiritual thing to do,” sacrificial, fun, “fellowship”—without any actual awareness that there’s something far far more, the place where Jesus actually lives. Sad.

In the dream it was also obvious that given the conditions to sear one’s conscience, one can descend into the periphery and gravitational pull of the dullness of that dweeb world fairly quickly, if they don’t deal with the root causes.

I took it as a Call to Arms to not devolve or ignore such things with myself. I take it as a hopeful warning to stay sharp!

Thank you for sharing that warning and call with us!!! Nothing less than whole-hearted and single-mindedness for our Bridegroom!

While I’ve heard the word “dweeb,” I wasn’t aware of what it meant or implied. Or what “defines” a dweeb. I asked ChatGPT on that one and pushed it for possible signs of a person who is a “spiritual dweeb” in their relationship with Jesus. I think it hit the mark on some, as you can see below, with my thoughts joined to it as well:

•Instead of having a heartfelt conversation with their Father, King, and Maker, a dweeb spiritually will approach God as if He’s a distant, unapproachable authority figure.

•Rule-following without relationship—obligation vs love

•Hyper-spiritualizing everything—Overanalyzing vs. simply trusting and following Jesus

•Feels like they have to put on a “spiritual act” rather than just being themselves before God and others. This can lead to pretending to have it all together instead of bringing struggles, doubts, and failures to Jesus and others honestly. [I know a distinct time in my life Jesus brought this to my attention; I was trying to “be” who I wanted to be for Him, and thus being a dweeb and “putting that on” instead of simply being little ‘ol me, all out there, and see who He could grow me into. I wasn’t aware till now that was a dweeb thing. Thank you, Jesus!]

•Awkwardly forcing Jesus into every conversation—not in the natural, life-giving way that overflows from a heart filled with love for Christ, but in a way that feels forced or out of touch with the moment, or out of insecurity. That’s uncomfortable rather than inspiring. [I know I’m guilty of times where I’ve spoken out of insecurity. Allowing self to get in the way is pretty much always what caused it, whether “look at me” pride or “fearful” pride.]

•Lives in constant anxiety about doing something wrong and “disappointing” Jesus, rather than resting in His grace and learning to walk with Him in trust and love.

•Knows all the right theology but never allows it to transform their heart. They may memorize scripture and doctrine but struggle to actually experience the peace, joy, and freedom that comes from intimacy with Christ.

•Trying too hard to impress Jesus. Approaching faith like a performance, always trying to “earn” His love instead of realizing they already have it fully. This can lead to burnout, discouragement, or a constant feeling of not measuring up.

A spiritual dweeb is disconnected from God and real-life application in walking with Him. They are more about the externals than a true relationship with God. The alternative? The living, breathing, Zoe life relationship Jesus invites us into—not a stiff, awkward, X/Y performance-based one. Instead of being a “spiritual dweeb,” we’re called to be children of God—secure in His love, comfortable in His presence, and joyful in our obedience. Wicked up into Him.

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.” But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No-one is good – except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:18-25

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:35-43

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