I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      The Scripture tells us that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1Cor. 15:50).

                                                             1.      In this passage, Paul wrote of the resurrection, and he said that the natural body will be raised as a spiritual body, which will be suitable for eternity (1Cor. 15:42-44).

                                                             2.      For this reason, our concern for our spirits’ well being should greatly exceed our concern for our bodies, for our spirits will exist forever, and our bodies will perish.

B.      In spite of this, we are often more aware of our physical conditions than we are of our spiritual conditions.

                                                             1.      We are constantly aware of every ache and pain that we may suffer in the body.  Our concern for these things motivates us to treat and prevent anything that may cause us physical suffering.

                                                             2.      At the same time, we often allow our spirits to decay within us while we do nothing to prevent it.  If fact, we even cause and promote our own spiritual affliction.  This is because we are ignorant, unaware, and insensitive to the needs of our spirits.

C.      Therefore, let us seek to correct our priorities and raise our awareness of our spiritual conditions.

                                                             1.      To do this, we must first understand the true meaning of spirituality.

                                                             2.      With this understanding, we may become more aware of our own spiritual conditions, and we may also know how to improve them.

II.      SPIRITUALITY

A.      The word “spirit” is translated from the Greek word pneuma, which has a broad meaning.

                                                             1.      Pneuma primarily means “wind” or “breath” (the root of our words “pneumatic,” “pneumonia,” etc.).  It is used in the New Testament to denote many things that, like wind, are invisible.

                                                             2.      It is most prominently used in the New Testament to describe the invisible, immaterial part of man, which is the spirit.

B.      Jesus used the word “spirit” to describe God.

                                                             1.      Jesus said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

a.       Jesus said this in response to the Samaritan woman’s implied question about the proper place of worship (John 4:20).

b.       His answer shows that God’s concern is with the nature of our worship (spiritual vs. temporal) rather than with the material place of our worship.

                                                             2.      Jesus used the word “spirit” because it describes the nature of God’s being.

a.       In His essence, He is spirit and not just a spirit.  He is unseen and immaterial.

b.       This is why non-spiritual worship is unacceptable to God.  It is incompatible with His nature.

C.      With these things in mind, let us consider what it means for man to be spiritual.

                                                             1.      Because God’s nature is spirit, true spirituality is to be of the quality and nature of God Himself.

a.       The lessons of Matthew 6 teach us to appraise things according to their spiritual value.  We should place higher value on those things that are unseen by man because God places higher value on them..

b.       God is not worried with the things of the flesh, so we should not be worried with them either (Matt. 6:31-34).

c.        Because God is holy, we should be holy also (1Pet. 1:14-16).

                                                             2.      Consider 1Corinthians 2:12-3:1 where the spiritual man is contrasted with the “natural man,” “men of flesh,” and “babes.”

a.       The spiritual man is different because he receives spiritual truth (vv. 12-13).  He accepts the things of the Holy Spirit so that he may know God.

b.       The natural man considers spiritual things to be foolishness (v. 14).

                                                             3.      Therefore, if one believes the word that God, who is spirit, has given, then he is truly spiritual.

a.       For example, the spiritual man considers baptism to be a means to salvation because God has declared it (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1Pet. 3:21).  However, a natural man considers baptism to be nothing more than a means for getting wet.

b.       “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (i.e., natural men – SED), but to us who are being saved (i.e., spiritual men – SED) it is the power of God.” (1Cor. 1:18)

                                                             4.      Spirituality is not only believing the word of God, but it is also doing the things of God.

a.       Notice in Galatians 6:1 that Paul addresses “you who are spiritual.”

i.         These are the ones who bear the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  Their lives produce the evidence of the unseen Spirit of God within them.

ii.        Those who perform the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) are not spiritual by definition.  (Sadly, there are some so-called Christians who are not spiritual.)

b.       James wrote, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jas. 1:22).  The spiritual man receives the word of God, and he performs the word of God.

III.   HOW DO WE RAISE OUR SPIRITUAL AWARENESS?

A.      First of all, let us not make the mistake of seeking spirituality by stimulating our emotions.

                                                             1.      Because of false notions regarding spirituality, some expect spirituality to be an experience rather than a way of life.  If this is our concept, then we will seek to be spiritual by feeling spiritual.

                                                             2.      Unfortunately, being spiritual does not always produce the most desirable emotions.  Consider 2Corinthians 1:8-9; James 4:8-10.

                                                             3.      Be assured that regardless of emotions, a Christian may always be spiritual.

B.      Because being spiritual is being of the nature of God, we must study to understand the things of God in order to become more spiritual.

                                                             1.      The Holy Spirit has revealed “things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard” (i.e., spiritual things, 1Cor. 2:9) through the word of God so “that we might know the things freely given to us by God” (1Cor. 2:12).

                                                             2.      Those who are spiritual are born of God’s word, and it is their constant desire (1Pet. 1:23-2:3).  Their attention to it will stimulate their spiritual awareness.

C.      When we learn the things of God through His word, then we must also recognize that practicing those things is true spirituality.

                                                             1.      Let us realize than when we set our values and make our choices according to the word of God, then we are being spiritual.  Simply recognizing this will raise our spiritual awareness.

                                                             2.      Rather than waiting for some spiritual experience to happen to us, let us make ourselves spiritual by purposefully thinking spiritual thoughts and doing spiritual deeds.

                                                             3.      This is the true indwelling and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9-14).

IV.    ARE YOU SPIRITUAL?

A.      With these things regarding spirituality in mind, apply this test to yourself to see if you are spiritual.

                                                             1.      Is your life a pursuit of spiritual things, or are you seeking after the things of the world?  See Matthew 6:33.

                                                             2.      When you make petitions to God in prayer, are your motives spiritual or carnal?  See James 4:1-10.

                                                             3.      When you are injured, you act immediately to treat the injury, relieve the pain, and prevent any further harm.  Do you have that same urgency when you sin against God?  See 1John 1:9; Psalm 51.

                                                             4.      You seek for the prayers of the saints for your physical infirmities, but do you confess your sins to your brethren that they may pray for you?  See James 5:13-18.

                                                             5.      The Corinthian Christians were too carnal to be taught spiritual things (1Cor. 3:1-4).  Can you be taught?

                                                             6.      You recognize, experience, and sometimes indulge the desires of the flesh.  Do you recognize and embrace the desires of the spirit?  See Galatians 5:16-25.

                                                             7.      Spirituality is achieved through a spiritual mindset.  Do you set your mind on things above?  See Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 1:1-3.

B.      If you have found that you are not spiritual, then you need to become so.  Set your mind on the unseen things of God, and do the things prescribed in God’s word.  In other words, have faith, which is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).