Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8100 The life of faith  »  8164 spirituality

The quality of life generated and nourished by the Spirit of God, in which believers experience the power and presence of God in their lives. True spirituality comes from living under the control of the Holy Spirit and is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual maturity and growth in holiness.

The foundations of spirituality

The need for spiritual renewal

1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 7:14; Jude 19

Believers have been renewed spiritually

John 3:5-8 See also Romans 8:11; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3,23

Faith

Hebrews 11:6 See also John 6:53-58; John 14:1; John 20:31; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10

A longing for God

Psalm 27:8 See also Psalm 119:2; Psalm 143:5-6; Philippians 3:10-14

The nature of spirituality

Living under the Spirit's control

Romans 8:5-9 See also Romans 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-17; Ephesians 5:18

Reflecting Jesus Christ's character

2 Corinthians 3:18 See also Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2-3

Intimacy with God through the Spirit

Romans 8:14-16 See also Galatians 4:6

Evidence of spirituality

Bearing spiritual fruit

Galatians 5:22-23 See also Matthew 7:17; John 15:5-8; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:8-9

Love for one another

1 John 4:7 See also John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-4; Colossians 3:12

Spiritual maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 See also 1 Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 5:13-14

Showing concern for weaker believers

Galatians 6:1 See also Romans 14:1-3,19-21; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

Understanding spiritual truths

1 Corinthians 2:9-13 See also John 14:17; John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16

Holiness

Titus 2:12 See also Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:1-2

Obedience

John 15:10; 1 John 2:2-6; John 5:2-3

Aids to spirituality

Co-operation with the Spirit

Galatians 5:25 See also Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Meditation on God's word

Joshua 1:8; John 17:7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Spending time with God

Luke 6:12; Mark 1:35; Acts 4:13

Encouragement of others

Hebrews 10:24 See also Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Tests and trials

James 1:2-4 See also Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7

Examples of spirituality

Genesis 5:24 Enoch; Genesis 6:9 Noah

Moses:

Numbers 12:3,6-8

David:

1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22

Stephen:

Acts 6:5,8 Acts 11:24 Barnabas

See also

3233  Holy Spirit & sanctification
4018  life, spiritual
5904  maturity, spiritual
6744  sanctification
7922  fellowship with God
8160  seeking God
8162  spiritual vitality
8206  Christlikeness
8258  fruitfulness, spiritual
8266  holiness
8347  spiritual growth
8656  longing for God