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 KJV 1900

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of 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. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

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

Faith

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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

A longing for God

Psalm 27:8 KJV 1900

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I 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 KJV 1900

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

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

Reflecting Jesus Christ’s character

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV 1900

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

See also Ro 8:29; 1 Jn 3:2–3

Intimacy with God through the Spirit

Romans 8:14–16 KJV 1900

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

See also Ga 4:6

Evidence of spirituality

Bearing spiritual fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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

Love for one another

1 John 4:7 KJV 1900

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

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

Spiritual maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 KJV 1900

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

See also 1 Co 14:20; Heb 5:13–14

Showing concern for weaker believers

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also 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 KJV 1900

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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

Holiness

Titus 2:12 KJV 1900

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

See also Ro 12:1–2; 1 Co 6:19–20; Ga 5:24; 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 KJV 1900

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

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

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 KJV 1900

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

See also Col 3:16; 1 Th 2:11–12

Tests and trials

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting 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