John 4: 23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
On numerous occasions, the phrase “God is A Spirit” has been mentioned on this forum and we probably never took the time to fully explain what we mean. The time has come for a thorough study to be done on the statement, so that it would be made clear to our understanding, because spiritual things are to be spiritually discerned.
We can’t bring the same tools to the study of God’s word that we employ in the secular subjects such as math and science where only finite ways and means are used to draw conclusions. Those may be good in their legitimate sphere, but understanding spiritual things will require much more than that.
If we were to use the same methodologies, we will certainly err in interpretations and conclusions, and there will be some things that would be made plain to the spiritually minded person that may baffle the intellect of learned men.
As we study the topic, great light would be shed on our pathway, by enabling us to understand things in the Bible that may seem vague and arbitrary. God is a Spirit, and everything He does in His interactions with us, includes the inner state of the mind, since the thought, motives and purposes always give birth to our overt actions.
This is the reason why on several occasions persons are at a loss to grasp why God did such and such in a given situation, whereas to all outward appearances it might seem that He should have taken a different course. This then could negatively impact a person’s perspectives of God, and if time isn’t taken to try to learn from His perspectives, one can stumble. Let’s read:
Luke 4:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit, for of thorns men don’t gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Matthew 15:8 This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand.
11 It is not that which goes into the mouth which defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defiles not a man.
As a general rule humanity judges things by outward appearances, meaning that overt actions play major roles in determining the conclusions we draw. This is a greatly flawed measuring stick and often causes us to make grievous errors in judgement.
Indeed, it is our predisposition to be convinced by the mere outward display of evidences, that satan would exploit to his own advantage during the final conflict of the ages. Persons would be deceived by outward manifestations that appeal to the 5 senses, instead of drawing sound conclusions, based upon the written word.
An example of what we’re speaking of is given in the Bible of the prophet Samuel who was sent to anoint Israel’s second king. As the first son of Jessie came out leading the pack, he made a deep impression on Samuel’s mind, for he was a man of great stature.
And he looked like a king, as if he was born to run. The prophet proceeded to conclude that this must be the person that God had sent him to anoint, and he firmly believed that God’s anointed was before him.
The Lord had to correct him and he gave to Samuel and us, a lesson that we must never forget, that the conclusions that we draw, and the assessments that we make must include spiritual components, which may not appear to the naked eye in most instances.
At that time God pointed out certain factors that are too often brought to bear in our decision making. A guy who is tall and handsome, might have outward appeal but he may be destitute of the character that would make him a good husband.
Now, we have to let you know there isn’t anything wrong with being tall and handsome, but there are short bald men who would love you, and treat you right, who will be faithful, in sickness and in health and who would love you with the love that is born of God, and who will tend to encourage you in right directions, all the days of your life.
Thus, rather than tie the knot in a hurry, persons are to do due diligence in researching the spiritual side of the man in question. First and foremost, does he love God supremely, does his influence tend to draw you away from Christ, or does he tend to put Jesus first, in everything and in every decision he makes.
These are just a few of the deciding factors that God pointed out to Samuel, so that he would not make grave errors in judgment. In other words, the heart, the motives, and the tendency to put God first, is of much more value to the Lord in determining a man’s fitness to fill such an important position as king.
That is because God is a Spirit, and the state of the mind and heart are or more consequence than the mere outward appeal that might cause persons to make hasty, ill-advised decisions. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 16: 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees for man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 637>638] Eliab was the eldest, and more nearly resembled Saul for stature and beauty than the others. His comely features and finely developed form attracted the attention of the prophet.
As Samuel looked upon his princely bearing, he thought, “This is indeed the man whom God has chosen as successor to Saul,” and he waited for the divine sanction that he might anoint him. But Jehovah did not look upon the outward appearance.
No outward beauty can recommend the soul to God. The wisdom and excellence revealed in the character and deportment, express the true beauty of the man; and it’s the inner worth, the excellency of the heart, that determines our acceptance with the Lord of hosts.
Another example of what is being spoken about can be observed in Christ’s encounter with the rich young ruler, who for all intents and purposes seemed to be doing the right things, when he asked Jesus that all important question: “what must I do to be saved.”
The answer Jesus gave him probably caused his face to beam with satisfaction, for Jesus replied that the commandments must be kept, in order to enter into eternal life. Yet, the ruler felt an unknown void deep down in his soul which he couldn’t explain nor could he satisfy.
The problem is that doing right things externally is not the service or worship God is looking for, if one’s heart isn’t in a right relationship with Him. His work in our hearts, via the Holy Ghost, involves bringing willing persons to that point where whatsoever we do will have its foundation in love to God, and love to our fellowman.
In fact, even though everyone is encouraged to do the right thing, doing so, from a mere obligatory perspective will never, by itself, bring a person into fellowship with God, because God is a Spirit, and your heart has to be in it, before anything could be acceptable to Him.
God is not merely looking for persons who do right things. He is looking for a heart that is submissive to His word, and His revealed will. He is looking for the heart that is truly grateful for what He has done for us on Calvary, and would render willing, and loving service, and obedience in response to His gracious overtures.
God is also looking for the sincere-hearted person, with faults, who would accept His assessment of our vital need of His grace, in order to obey, and God is looking for the heart of faith, which will take Him at His word, and believe that He will fulfill his promises according to His good purposes, and in His own time and way.
All of these essentials could be lacking, even as folks do the right things, for there is a sort of religion that does not come from the heart, but focuses squarely on ceremony, external manifestations, and the letter of the law with its particulars, while the principles of His kingdom aren’t permitted to be intertwined and interwoven into one’s everyday experiences.
A religion that does not come from the heart, and obedience that is primarily ritual in nature, could never satisfy the soul’s longing, for it is described as taking the husk without the kernel, and as a result, it could actually be a sin, because, according to the Bible, whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
God is a Spirit, and therefore, as we study the verses below, let us try to get the gist of what He is saying, for the heart must be in alignment with whatsoever is said or done, in order to worship God in spirit and in truth. Let’s read:
Matthew 15:8 This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 23: 2 The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Amos 5: 21 I hate, I despise your feast days and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Psalms 78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came, and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honor thy father and thy mother: and, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
[The Desire of Ages pp 520] The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ’s words involved, and he became sad. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He loved the gifts of God more than he loved the Giver.
Here is another example of why the Bible says God is a Spirit. In the days of Christ, the congregation at one time was in the process of returning their tithes and offerings to God so that His kingdom upon the earth could be sustained.
At that time many persons were bringing large sums into the treasury, but there was a woman who was financially broken, and all she could bring was two mites. It was not much by any means, but because God is a Spirit, He picked up on her inner motives, and purposes, which motivated her to return all that she had.
It made all the difference in the world to God, in so much that Jesus called His disciples to observe, and assess things, the way God does, because, as far as God is concerned, that poor woman gave more than everybody else, because she gave everything which she had, even though it was only two mites. Let’s read:
Mark 12: 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them verily I say unto you that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
The way in which the widow brought her two mites to the treasury is also worthy of notice, because she did it with a humble, grateful spirit. It was not much when compared to the other members, but it was the attitude and the heart that made the two mites of more value to God than the other offerings.
Now, it is true that we cannot read the intents and purposes of the heart like God does but He cautions us against drawing conclusions based solely on the externals. Indeed, some of those who were giving large sums could also be accepted, if their hearts were in the right place.
It’s not the size of the gift that matters with God, it is the condition of the heart, the intents, purposes, motivations and love, which make all the difference. It’s not the things you do at Christmastime, but the Christmas things you do all year through. Let’s read:
[The Desire of Ages pp 614] Many of the rich brought large sums, which they presented with great ostentation. Jesus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal offerings.
Presently His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly, as though fearful of being observed. She shrank back as if hardly daring to venture farther.
And yet she longed to do something, little though it might be, for the cause she loved. She looked at the gift in her hand. It was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her, yet it was her all.
Watching her opportunity, she hurriedly threw in her two mites, and turned to hasten away. But in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus, which was fastened earnestly upon her.
Then His words of commendation fell upon her ear: “Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” Tears of joy filled her eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated.
Many would have advised her to keep her pittance for her own use; But Jesus understood her motive. She believed that the service of the temple was of God’s appointment, and she was anxious to do her utmost to sustain it. Her heart went with her gift.
Its value was estimated, not by the worth of the coin, but by the love to God and the interest in His work that had prompted the deed.
[The Desire of Ages pp 615] It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious.
The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift.
On the flipside of this widow’s generosity is the act of Ananias and Sapphira, who also brought their gift to the treasury, but their hearts were not right, for they pledged, and then reneged on their promise so that the gift was brought grudgingly.
It is quite possible that they were faithful in tithes and offerings, for The Holy Ghost did not fault them on that issue. The problem is that tithe and offerings are the bare minimum, since there are other needs that pop up from time to time in God’s cause.
The truly generous person would not bring the bare minimum only, but will make provisions, wherever they can, for those instances where needs arise out of the blue as it were. For example, not long ago, there was a devastating hurricane which hit Cuba and Jamaica really hard.
The subsequent damage called for more than the bare minimum, and thus, it is quite possible, that if Ananias and Sapphira were living today, they would help indeed, but they would probably offer the bare minimum, so as not to raise eyebrows as pertains to their generosity.
When there is a valid need, and when there is a call for means, let your response not merely be, we will give you our thoughts and prayers, for if thoughts and prayers are not followed up with cash or other provisions, The Lord will not have a clue as to what we are speaking of, for God is a Spirit. Let’s read:
Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 15: 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when you give unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that you put thine hand unto.
11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land. therefore, I command thee, saying, thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Here again is the very same issue occurring, why the Bible says God is a Spirit. Seventy men of Israel have been chosen to help Moses with his administration, and they are given a specific instruction to appear at the tabernacle. All, except two of them show up and yet The Holy Spirit is given to the two also.
Judging by mere outward appearance would lead us to conclude that they should not be partakers of the Holy Ghost, because it seems as if they disobeyed a plain order. But hold on a minute, as we dig a little deeper, because, God is a Spirit. Let’s read:
Numbers 11:16 And the Lord said unto Moses, gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.
26 But there remained two of the men in the camp the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 381] Two of the seventy, humbly counting themselves unworthy of so responsible a position, had not joined their brethren at the tabernacle; but the Spirit of God came upon them where they were, and they, too, exercised the prophetic gift.
Now, the same issue also occurs at times when God brings judgment upon certain persons. He may not always give us an explanation, but persons can rest assured that there must be something in the heart that caused Him to do as He did.
Case in point was the numbering of the people by David. In that instance, the scripture says that satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to count the people. But not long after, the displeasure of the Lord was made manifest, and He made David three offers of judgment, to recompence the deed.
David chose the better of the three bad options and no sooner had he done so than an angel was sent to destroy many persons in Jerusalem. Then, as David saw the carnage taking place, He questioned God’s judgement, in inflicting hurt on persons who had no part in issuing the order to number the people.
And some persons reading that incident may balk at what they perceive as a travesty of justice, where the apparently innocent were shaken down, while those who did the dirty work seemed to have gotten away scotch free. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel.
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
7 And God was displeased with “this thing;” therefore he smote Israel.
Numbers 1:18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
Joshua 8: 10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
Judges 20: 15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
1st Samuel 15: 4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
1st Chronicles 21:8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
14 So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
To David’s mind, God made a mistake in judgement, because David refers to the slain as sheep. Thus, the question is: Were they indeed sheep, and if so, was this an arbitrary act on God’s part to slay 70,000 of what we often refer to as innocent souls?
The answer to this conundrum can be found in the topic for today, namely: “God is a Spirit” and thus, it must be that something wrong was being cherished in their hearts why He smote them as He did. Unlike David, they refused to repent, of whatever the issue was, and that’s why they were taken out.
Both David, and many thousands in Israel had been cherishing national pride, and as their craving to be like the other nations fomented, the theocracy God initiated seemed more and more antiquated and by their estimate, insufficient.
To number the people would be to demonstrate the perspective that their strength was in numbers, not in God, and no sooner than that perspective is taken and cultivated, satan would tempt them to the fatal belief, that they do not need God anymore.
Therefore, even though the seventy thousand didn’t actually number the people, they too had partaken of the same spirit, as did David, and because David hastened to repent, and they didn’t, it may seem to some minds as if God made a mistake in striking the innocent, while letting the guilty off the hook. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 746>748] Intercourse with heathen peoples led to a desire to follow their national customs and kindled ambition for worldly greatness. David determined to increase his army by requiring military service from all who were of proper age.
The numbering of the people would show the contrast between the weakness of the kingdom when David ascended the throne and its strength and prosperity under his rule.
The prosperity of Israel under David had been due to the blessing of God rather than to the ability of her king, or the strength of her armies. But the increasing of the military resources of the kingdom would give the impression to surrounding nations that Israel’s trust was in her armies, and not in the power of Jehovah.
1st Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
2nd Samuel 5: 23 And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
2nd Samuel 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
2nd Samuel 8: And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so, the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
So, how is it that after all of these victories that God gave to David, that David now wants to number the people, to give the impression that Israel’s strength was in numbers. God is a Spirit, and therefore, even though in the next passage, no definite reasons are given, we must understand that there has to be an issue with the hearts and minds of the people. Let’s read:
2nd Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
The taking of the census had caused disaffection among the people; yet they had themselves had cherished the same sins that prompted David’s action. As the Lord through Absalom’s sin visited judgment upon David, so through David’s error he punished the sins of Israel.
In our day, the very same sins which affected Israel and David, are adversely affecting individuals as well as nations. National pride, and greatness are driving some to believe that God isn’t needed anymore and some have gone so far to believe that they can sit in God’s seat, by saying and doing only what God can do.
So, even though no reason might be given, just as it was back then, even so it will be when The Lord gets going with what Isaiah describes as His strange act.
In the last passage we read, we see that The Lord’s displeasure with the hearts and minds of king and peasant, moved Him to permit the king in question to be tempted by satan, and consequently, the king did some stupid things.
Let’s take a good second look at the passage we are referring to, because no clear reason is given for the Lord’s displeasure, and thus it calls upon us to see, if there might be something percolating in our hearts, that is causing God to permit kings in our day to do some stupid things.
And if so, the question is whether or not folks would hasten to repent like David did, or whether folks will cherish sin and fall when the sword of the Lord goes through the land. No doubt, many persons will, like David, be taken aback at what might seem to their minds as a mistake in judgment on God’s part, when apparently “innocent souls” are lost. Let’s read:
2nd Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
Isaiah 28: 21 For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be “wroth” as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
22 Now therefore be ye not mockers lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
It behooves us then to take a good introspect look at ourselves to see if we might be cherishing sins in our lives, on a personal or national level. It also calls upon us to worship serve and obey God in spirit and in truth, for God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must do so from the heart, in order for it to be accepted.
We therefore end with a passage that would call all of us to deep souls searching and it’s the will of God that wheresoever a change of heart and practice are needed, that we will humble ourselves before Him, so that He can do His good pleasure in and through us. Let’s read:
Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15 And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
God Bless!