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Answer
True spirituality is not something to be achieved or conquered. It is better understood as a progressive journey throughout the Christian life. The initial step toward spiritual growth is to be born of God’s Spirit by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Prior to salvation, we are spiritually lifeless. However, once our spirits are brought to life in Christ, we embark on the process of sanctification—of being made holy—until Jesus returns or until the day we pass away (Romans 8:11;Ephesians 2:5;1 Peter 3:18-19;1 Corinthians 15:22).
The term “spiritual” is contrasted with “natural” in 1 Corinthians 2:14–15 (ESV). In this context, being spiritual entails being born again, that is, having the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the natural person, who is unregenerate. Galatians 6:1 issues a directive to “you who are spiritual” (ESV) to restore a sinning brother. Here, being spiritual involves walking in the Spirit—living under the constant influence of the Spirit.
Merely following a list of “do’s and don’ts”—abstaining from certain immoral practices and fulfilling a set of godly responsibilities—does not automatically indicate spirituality. The Pharisees excelled at adhering to regulations. Spirituality is not achieved through external actions or compliance with laws. It is the internal work of the Holy Spirit as He renews the mind and shapes the heart of the believer to reflect the image of Christ: “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:3-4). It involves retraining our minds to focus on what the Spirit desires: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:5-9).
Spiritual growth occurs as we starve our sinful, fleshly desires and nourish the spiritual aspects of our being. Paul described this as “putting to death” or “crucifying” our old, sinful nature: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24; see also Galatians 2:20).
We must die to the desires of the flesh daily: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians
6:14; see also Romans 6:4, 6, 12, 14). The reality of following Christ means taking up our cross every day, losing our lives to find them in Him, and saying no to any attitude of the heart that is in rebellion to our Savior (Matthew 16:24-26).
Being spiritual requires living by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross: “When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:10-11; NLT). By faith, we are to live now as though we have already died, been to heaven, and been raised to life again in the fullness of the Spirit in the presence of God: “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God” «Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. », (Romans 6:13, NLT).
It is impossible to cultivate true spirituality by our own works, energy, or strength. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we put to death the sinful nature: “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:12-14; NLT).
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT). Our responsibility is simply to trust in God’s promise to produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.
Our spiritual growth occurs through daily, moment-by-moment, increasing fellowship with our heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Engaging in prayer, studying God’s Word, and memorizing and reflecting on its truths are all essential for nurturing our relationship with the triune God. The more we understand Him, the more we resemble Him «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 by the Spirit of the Lord.», (2 Corinthians 3:18). Striving to be like Jesus Christ is the essence of true spirituality.
