What is Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth?

“The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23–24

Is this one of those verses you read over and move on because it’s hard to understand?

What is Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth?

What is worship?

To give respectful and awe-filled honor and adoration.

“Worship is recognizing God for who He is; it is ascribing worth to Him; it is God’s people telling Him about the worth they see in Him. In fact, worship could very well be thought of as ‘worth-ship.'” ~Don Weaver

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How do you and I honor and adore God in both spirit and truth?

By worshipping Him the way we love Him . . . with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

1. Worshipping with your heart – is adoring Him with emotions.

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2

2. Worshipping with your soul – is like breathing . . . it is all-encompassing worship enabled by God’s Spirit living with us.

O God, you are my God;
    I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
    my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
    where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
    and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
    how I praise you!
Psalm 63:1–3

3. Worshipping with your mind – is using knowledge and the truth of God’s Word to honor and adore Him.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 1:25

4. Worshipping with your strength – is intentional all-in acts of adoration.

“To love the Lord with all our strength means to love Him “exceedingly” “richly”, “lavishly”, with reckless abandon out of simple devotion.” ~Greg Simas

There are many differing opinions about the best ways to worship God in community . . . the style of music, kinds of instruments, formality, attire, length of sermon/message, etc. And I can’t help but wonder if any of that makes a difference.

Worshipping in community draws us close to each other which is vital for a healthy faith family, but worshipping in spirit and truth is intimate and personal. Like love, spirit and truth filled worship doesn’t draw attention to itself or worry about the posture of others. It doesn’t demand its own way, but loves…

Worship loves and acts.

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Finally, a powerful quote by John Piper from his book, Desiring God.

“Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (or half full) of artificial admirers (like people who write generic anniversary cards for a living). On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship.”

8 Comments

A failure to have both truth and spirit leaves a person wanting. Truth without love is legalism; spirit without truth is emotionalism; spirit and truth together leads to worship.

True worship of God does involve us completely, emotionally and mindfully. There should never, ever be anything distracting us from our focus on Him and His greatness.
Blessings, Deb!

This is so true–> “but worshiping in spirit and truth is intimate and personal” I know worship is about our lifestyle and must be in spirit and truth. Great post!!!
I’m visiting you from Motivate & Rejuvenate Link Up, I’m your neighbor.

W/Love,
Tayrina from TGAWrites
Words of Comfort for Your Heart

What a beautiful privilege we have to worship the one true King! That He would accept the joys and praise of our heart, mind, and soul.
Love your words today Deb.
Blessings,

Worship is all that counts forever and ever, from here to heaven, and IN heaven. Thank you.

Thank you Deb for sharing God’s Word with others! Stopping by for the #RaRaLinkup.

The best piece of wisdom I ever received about worship was from my high school youth pastor. He told me, “Lauren, true worship is praising God at all time: When things are really good, and when they are not.” Thanks for this post, Deb!