A pride filled spirit - The Scripture condemns this spirit of false-pride (I John 2:15). It is a spirit of pride that make some who are highly educated look down with scorn on those with less formal training. Conversely it makes some with lesser academic credentials resentful of those with more. In either case faction and schism will result. The cause is hindered.

An arrogant spirit towards those outside the faith - This spirit treats with disdain those who have not yet arrived at their level of understanding of Scripture. It assumes there is no honesty or sincerity to be found outside of his or her circle. Such a spirit is disgusting and revolting to those at whom it is directed and to those who observe it. It shuts the door against folks who might otherwise be receptive to the gospel plea.

A sectarian or divisive spirit - This spirit has little appreciation for the unity of God's people. Working diligently to maintain the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3) is neglected because they are too busy drawing lines, breaking fellowship and branding fellow-Christians. Their divisive work is pursued without shame or guilt. This discredits our plea for the unity of all who believe in the Lord Jesus (John 17:20-21).

A spirit of foolishness - I have in mind those preachers who come before audiences as a representative of Christ but behave as court jesters. Rather than devote their precious time to preaching Christ and his sacred principles, they try to be cute - to be comedians or entertainers. Such foolishness does not promote or enhance our back to the Bible plea.

A spirit of laziness - Some men wish to have the position of preacher and draw the salary but are unwilling to spend the time and make the effort to learn God's Word. They haven't time to examine the issues that come before us and prepare themselves to address them. Intelligent people who come to hear their lessons go away in boredom and seek for truth elsewhere. Churches wither and die from lack of meaningful Bible teaching (Hos. 4:6).

A spirit of pretended scholarship - Genuine scholarship is admirable. It reflects years of discipline and hard work. One may be a scholar in one field but a novice in another. Advanced educational credentials in secular fields mean nothing, if a man is not well read in God's Word. I have known men who had neither the training nor the experience to be considered a scholar in the field of biblical studies, yet they pretended they were. They knew a few Greek or Hebrew terms to toss about, but the living Word they did not know. Those who do know will soon spot such pretenders. Trying to attract attention to themselves they do a disservice to the Cause.

A spirit that cares not for our past history - Many contemporary preachers exhibit disdain for those who went before them, building the highway on which they now travel with ease. They serve churches established and built up by great men of God whom they do not recognize or appreciate. They know nothing of the past struggles to arrive at a Biblical faith. Because they care nothing for our history, they are likely to repeat the mistakes of the past and be vulnerable to the siren voices of error.

A spirit of satisfaction with the status quo - So long as the earth doth stand there will be lost souls to whom Christ expects us to take his gospel (Mk. 16:15). As long as there is a village without a church of Christ, we must be busy planting churches. So long as there is good waiting to be done, we have an obligation to be busy doing so to the glory of Christ (I Cor. 15:58). Sadly too many men take positions in churches and are content just to maintain the status quo at home. They ignore distant fields and Macedonian calls don't stir them. The needs of the fatherless and widow’s fall on deaf ears and the cause suffers.

A compromising spirit - Christianity is likened to an army sent forth on world conquest (I Tim. 6:12). Our mission is to rescue souls from Satan's kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13). Our enemy never rests. He constantly roams the earth seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8). Sadly, we see in Christ's army soldiers who do not want to fight. They prefer to rest peacefully in the safety of the fort. Without a spirit of militancy we will never win the world to Christ nor restore the faith and practice of the first disciples.