Marks of a Disciple 5: Spirituality

Michael Haykin says, “True spirituality is intimately bound up with the Holy Spirit and His work.” A disciple must be marked with the Holy Spirit and filled to its fullness (Eph 1:22-23). Things happen around this person that cannot be explained logically. People who do not know God suspect there is something different in how this disciple lives. A spiritual man shines more brightly than a natural man.

So that you become blameless and pure, children of God above reproach in this crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firmly to the words of life. Phil 2: 15-16

Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 1 Cor 2:10-14

Although there are many references to Holy Spirit and His works in our lives, this critical passage in the Bible describes what spirituality looks like. These verses tell part of the story of who Holy Spirit is and how He works. He is not a figure that lives outside of us or God. He is separate from, but in relationship with God, seeking out and sharing the deep things of Him to the world. He knows what God is thinking. 

A spiritual man is spiritual because he has received Holy Spirit as a deposit (2 Cor 1:22). He will receive the deep things of God, not through human speech, but in a spiritual way. This spiritual way combines the spiritual thoughts of God with our spiritual words so we can understand something new.

The disciple will consistently go up in his heart and mind. He will always seek the things above and the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33). 

An essential mark of a Christian is a surrender to the very nature of God. Therefore, if a man does not display the spirituality of God, he is a natural man with limited power to move him forward. The disciple who displays the spirituality of God has the power of the Trinity to live the life God wants for him.

Holy Spirit, speak to me about the things of God. Fill me with the nature of God and Your power. Make me shine like a star for You. Amen.

 Learn more about how Holy Spirit intersects our lives here.