Winter 2002
The Meaning of Spirituality
Wade E Taylor

“For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6.

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 NKJ.

The idea of true “spirituality” cannot be expressed in a sentence, but it can be narrowed to a principle.

“God is Spirit, they that worship Him must
worship in Spirit and in Truth.” John 4:24.

Thus, in order to relate to spirituality, one must be “spiritually minded,” or be “in the Spirit.”

To be “spiritual” indicates that we have come into a degree of spiritual development wherein we abide in an ongoing, active, personal relationship with our creator. It implies that we have an established relationship with a Church, and also, that we have a Christ centered testimony in the world to which we relate.

The Word tells us in John 1:14 that “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The eternal creative Word - the greatest revelation that God could give to man, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was made flesh and dwelt among us as Jesus of Nazareth.

That is, in Jesus, the Word and the life were one. As Jesus walked among the people of His day, the World saw the truth and power of the Word imparted through His life. John testified of this in I John 1:1.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked
upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.”

Some present their “understanding” of spiritual truths as being a mark of spiritual maturity. These revelations may be genuine and true to the Word of God, but they must first become a personal reality within those to whom they were given. Unless they bring a greater revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a deeper love for Him, they are, in the words of I Corinthians 13:1, but a “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”

Only after the Word has become a personal reality within our lives can we share these things with the fellowship of believers to which we belong, or testify of them as a witness to those yet outside the fellowship of the redeemed.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “Ye shall be witnesses …” Our growth to maturity is not determined by the greatness of our Revelation. Rather, our coming to spiritual maturity is established by the application of these spiritual laws and truths to our lives. Israel saw the deeds of God, but Moses walked in the ways of God, and through his life, Israel saw the results of God's revelation.

If we will begin to live and practice what we know of things spiritual, the unsaved would be greatly affected. Objective truth must be personalized in our lives through experience, before it is really ours. The Word must have become “flesh” within us, so that, as the World “handles” us, they will see His life manifested through us. They will then marvel and say “never man spoke as this man, for he speaks as one having authority.”

The Lord is looking for those who will conform their lives to the truth and revelation that is coming forth in this hour. To merely hear and agree with these things is not enough. The “word” that our Lord is speaking today must find its fulfillment in and through the lives of those whose hearts hunger to know Him better.

This is the mark and witness of true Spirituality.