Q: What is spirituality? What are essentials to increase spirituality? —Tunde
A: Spirituality is the quality of one’s sensitivity to the things of the spirit as opposed to material or physical things. As a believer in Jesus, your spirituality signifies the state of your soul or spirit as quickened and vitalized by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-16), and made alive to God (Romans 8:9-14). It is how devotedly you “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
God wants us to grow up in our spirituality, progressing toward maturity in “growing in every way more and more like Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15). It is easy just to grow old, but it takes much effort to grow up. Thankfully, God has given us 2 resources to help us mature.
First, we have God’s Word to nourish us. To grow up, we need nourishment. “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment” (1 Peter 2:2). But we also need solid food (Matthew 4:4, Hebrews 5:13-14, 6:1-3), if we are to grow and mature “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). To grow strong, we need to exercise. Paul tells us “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). This ability to know what is right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:14). This training for godliness comes from studying and applying God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Second, we have the Holy Spirit to teach, guide (John 14:26, 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John 2:22,27), and empower us (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8). To grow spiritually, you must “let the Holy Spirit guide your life” (Galatians 5:16-26), and “be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Paul devoted all of Romans 8 to explain what it means for you to be “controlled by the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-39).
There is a lot more to be said about growing spiritually. And to help you grow and mature, here are two online booklets to help you:
• How Can I Be Filled With the Holy Spirit?
• How Do You Live the Christian Life?
—K.T. Sim
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mike wittmer on October 13, 2012 at 7:32 pm
This is very helpful advice, K.T. I would only add that the definition in the opening sentence should capitalize “Spirit,” for it’s our devotion to the Holy Spirit that matters, and this is not necessarily in contrast to material or physical things. Caring for our bodies, eating good food, and enjoying a warm bath can all be spiritual things when motivated from love for God.
tom felten on October 16, 2012 at 9:57 am
Good catch, Mike! As Paul wrote, “Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
tom felten on October 10, 2012 at 8:49 am
Good thoughts, Oba AINA. Yes, our relationship with God is based in communication going both ways. The outpouring of our praise and worship and prayer is in response to God’s work in our lives. The Psalms reflect the beauty of this relationship, with the psalmists describing what God has done and then calling out to Him in need and/or worship!