Spirituality

The quality of life generated and nourished by the Spirit of God, in which believers experience the power and presence of God in their lives. True spirituality comes from living under the control of the Holy Spirit and is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual maturity and growth in holiness.

The foundations of spirituality

The need for spiritual renewal

1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 7:14; Jude 1:19

Believers have been renewed spiritually

John 3:5–8 See also Romans 8:11; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Faith

Hebrews 11:6 See also John 6:53–58, John 14:1, John 20:31; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9–10

And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

A longing for God

Psalm 27:8 See also Psalm 119:2, Psalm 143:5–6; Philippians 3:10–14

My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

The nature of spirituality

Living under the Spirit's control

Romans 8:5–9 See also Romans 8:12–13; Galatians 5:16–17; Ephesians 5:18

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Reflecting Jesus Christ's character

2 Corinthians 3:18 See also Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2–3

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Intimacy with God through the Spirit

Romans 8:14–16 See also Galatians 4:6

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Evidence of spirituality

Bearing spiritual fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 See also Matthew 7:17; John 15:5–8; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:8–9

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Love for one another

1 John 4:7 See also John 13:34–35; 1 Corinthians 13:1–4; Colossians 3:12

Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Spiritual maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 See also 1 Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 5:13–14

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly — as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Showing concern for weaker believers

Galatians 6:1 See also Romans 14:1–3, Romans 14:19–21; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13

Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Understanding spiritual truths

1 Corinthians 2:9–13 See also John 14:17, John 16:13–15; 1 Corinthians 2:15–16

Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Holiness

Titus 2:12 See also Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:1–2

It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Obedience

John 15:10; 1 John 2:2–6, 1 John 5:2–3

Aids to spirituality

Co-operation with the Spirit

Galatians 5:25 See also Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.

And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Tests and trials

James 1:2–4 See also Romans 5:3–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Examples of spirituality

Genesis 5:24 Enoch; Genesis 6:9 Noah; Numbers 12:3, Numbers 12:6–8; 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22; Acts 6:5, Acts 6:8; Acts 11:24 Barnabas