Spirituality

The foundations of spirituality

The need for spiritual renewal

1 Co 2:14; Ro 7:14; Jud 19

Believers have been renewed spiritually

John 3:5–8 NASB95

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

See also Tt 3:5; 1 Pe 1:3; 1 Pe 1:23; Ro 8:11

Faith

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

See also Jn 20:31; Ac 16:31; Ro 10:9–10; Jn 14:1; Jn 6:53–58

A longing for God

Psalm 27:8 NASB95

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”

See also Ps 119:2; Ps 143:5–6; Php 3:10–14

The nature of spirituality

Living under the Spirit’s control

Romans 8:5–9 NASB95

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

See also Ga 5:16–17; Eph 5:18; Ro 8:12–13

Reflecting Jesus Christ’s character

2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB95

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

See also Ro 8:29; 1 Jn 3:2–3

Intimacy with God through the Spirit

Romans 8:14–16 NASB95

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

See also Ga 4:6

Evidence of spirituality

Bearing spiritual fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

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

See also Ro 14:17; Jn 15:5–8; Mt 7:17; Eph 5:8–9

Love for one another

1 John 4:7 NASB95

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

See also Col 3:12; Jn 13:34–35; 1 Co 13:1–4

Spiritual maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 NASB95

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

See also 1 Co 14:20; Heb 5:13–14

Showing concern for weaker believers

Galatians 6:1 NASB95

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

See also Ro 14:1–3; Ro 14:19–21; 1 Co 8:9–13

Understanding spiritual truths

1 Corinthians 2:9–13 NASB95

but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

See also Jn 14:17; Jn 16:13–15; 1 Co 2:15–16

Holiness

Titus 2:12 NASB95

instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

See also 1 Co 6:19–20; Ga 5:24; Ro 12:1–2; Col 3:1–2

Obedience

Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 2:2–6; 1 Jn 5:2–3

Aids to spirituality

Co-operation with the Spirit

Galatians 5:25 NASB95

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

See also Eph 4:30; 1 Th 5:19; Ac 7:51

Meditation on God’s word

Jos 1:8; Jn 17:7; 2 Ti 3:15–17

Spending time with God

Lk 6:12; Mk 1:35; Ac 4:13

Encouragement of others

Hebrews 10:24 NASB95

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

See also Col 3:16; 1 Th 2:11–12

Tests and trials

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

See also Ro 5:3–4; 1 Pe 1:6–7

Examples of spirituality

Ge 5:24 Enoch; Ge 6:9 Noah

Moses:

Nu 12:3; Nu 12:6–8

David:

1 Sa 13:14; Ac 13:22

Stephen:

Ac 6:5; Ac 6:8

Ac 11:24 Barnabas