Think-Talk

What is a Spirit?

There are thirty-one (31) different definitions of a spirit in Dictionary.com. Only 3 of these will suffice for this post.

A spirit is “a supernatural, conscious, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc.,” or “having a particular character,” or “a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Numbers 11:25; Isaiah 32:15”.

When written in initial capital, we refer to the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit. My best definition of the Spirit is contained in the scripture of John 3:8:

This scripture helps us to understand that the Spirit is a wind; you feel His presence but don’t see Him.

What does “God is a Spirit” mean?

The saying that “God is a spirit” is a noted scripture (John 3:8) among Christians. My interpretation of the phrase based on personal experience is that, to experience God, you have to engage with Him spiritually, not merely verbally. Knowing God is more than just expressing it. To know Him is to have a relationship with Him and He with you. You wake up, and before going to bed at night, wanting to spend quality time with Him. Just as with our earthly relationships, when we desire to spend time with the people/friends we love, so it is with our Father in heaven.

How do you know God?

• First, as a Christian, it’s by invitation and accepting that Jesus is Lord; not the just because “my parents are Christians and so I am” kind.
• Then, it’s about reading His Word, the Holy Bible, and engaging Him in a conversation by His Holy Spirit.
• Obeying His Words and commands
• Choosing to walk holy; being in the world but not of the world (John 17:14, 16)
• It’s also about being baptized in the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 2:12)
• And spending time in His presence.

From spending time in His presence, God ministers to you, reveals different sides of His attributes to you, while gradually changing you in the process, and begins to give you His spirit. This explains why some things that you used to do pre-Christian, and which are not in accordance with His will for you, gradually begin to fade away.

No one has seen God at anytime (1 John 4:12), but we know He exists. He is not an image, though some carve images to symbolize Him. That’s idol worshipping. He is also not a tree or an animal. He is their Creator and we worship the Creator, not the created or creature.

Because we consciously or unconsciously take on our environment, time spent with Father God begins to change us to be like Him. When you cultivate a relationship with God, you feel Him and He speaks to your spirit man.

Finally, we worship Him with psalms, hymns, and praises. The best worship is daily keeping still in His presence for a few minutes, no talking or singing, just listening and being still. This is how you worship God in spirit. The Father seeks such to worship Him (John 4:23c).