In answering a Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus stated: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
This teaching is often misapplied or misconstrued, particularly by today's professing Christian world. What does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth? Notice, not “or,” but “and.” What is the biblical context of what Jesus was teaching this woman and by extension every one of us today?
The nation of Israel was a special people to God, not better, but special as God was keeping His promise to His friend Abraham. They were to live God’s way of life—to include His commandments, statutes, and judgments to be an example to the surrounding nations. Israel’s success, from God, would attract others to God. Other nations would have noted Israel’s remarkable blessings and questioned, “Who is this great nation that is so close to their God” (Deut. 4:7)? Yet, as the story reveals Israel did not live up to their end of the bargain. They did not have the heart to obey and later after Mt. Sinai, the sacrificial system was added due to their sins (Jer. 7:22, Gal. 3:19). Israel had the truth, but they did not have God’s spirit; therefore, they could not worship God from the heart and could not live His spiritual commandments (Heb. 4:2).
Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Notice, our “reasonable service” and not beyond or far-fetched—just reasonable! God is worthy of such service. The Israelites followed a series of ritualistic ceremonies and external washings as a reminder of sins and of true spiritual worship that was yet to come. These external rituals were a type of the Holy Spirit cleaning us up from within (internally). Today, we offer spiritual sacrifices. How? By presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, which means to offer oneself in living obedience, which means doing what God says, even when it’s unpopular. Our heart is our intent and motivation. From our mind stems our thoughts and attitudes. We must circumcise our hearts and guard our minds.
Notice Jeremiah 31:33: “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” To worship in truth without the spirit is legalism; yet, to worship in spirit without the truth is emotionalism. It is a spiritual principle to sacrifice the self to God. The Holy Spirit makes it possible for the members of God’s Church to keep and internalize all His spiritual laws. Jesus Christ was teaching that we must worship God in form and substance, with head and heart, in spirit and truth. Is this you?
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