What is spiritual truth? Most people think this form of truth matches their own values and thoughts. However, different people have different ideas about what that means. For instance, some Christians may believe that God the Father begat Jesus as His son, while others believe the Holy Spirit brought about his miraculous virgin birth. And some of them, though not all, believe that he actually is God as part of the Trinity. But followers of Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, and people of many other religious backgrounds do not have the same understanding.
Can the dictionary definition help us? Merriam Webster gives quite a long definition of “truth”. Perhaps the most useful part of their definition for our discussion follows: “a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality”. Breaking that definition down, I understand it to mean that, though universal and significant, spiritual truth goes beyond human ability to understand. We simply do not have the capability to comprehend it. We can believe in it and study the scriptures to increase our knowledge of it but we can never fully understand it while we exist in our earthly life. I am, of course, writing of the Divine, the One I call God.
Spiritual truths refer to the divine realities and principles revealed by God through Scripture, which transcend human understanding and are discerned through the Holy Spirit. These truths are foundational to the Christian faith and guide believers in their relationship with God and others.
The Bible is the primary source of spiritual truths, providing insight into God's character, His will, and His plan for humanity. In John 17:17, Jesus prays, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." This underscores the belief that God's Word is the ultimate standard of truth.
Spiritual truths are revealed to believers through the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:10-14, Paul explains that "God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." The passage emphasizes that spiritual truths are not comprehended through human wisdom but through the Spirit who enables understanding.
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The Person of Jesus Christ
Central to spiritual truths is the person and work of Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement affirms that Jesus Himself embodies truth and is the exclusive path to a relationship with God.
Faith is essential in apprehending spiritual truths. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith allows believers to trust in God's promises and the unseen realities of His kingdom.
Spiritual truths have a transformative effect on believers, leading to renewal and sanctification. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is achieved through the application of spiritual truths in daily life.
Believers are called to discern spiritual truths and apply them wisely. In James 1:5, it is written, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom to understand and live out spiritual truths.
The authority of Scripture as the source of spiritual truths is emphasized in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This passage affirms the sufficiency of Scripture in guiding believers in truth.
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Believers are called to live out spiritual truths in their conduct and relationships. Ephesians 4:15 encourages, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head." This involves embodying truth in love and growing in Christlikeness.
Spiritual truths often face opposition from worldly philosophies and false teachings. Colossians 2:8 warns, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Believers are urged to remain steadfast in the truth of Christ.
Spiritual truths provide an eternal perspective, reminding believers of their heavenly citizenship and the hope of eternal life.
Others, including Indigenous Americans recognized the greatness and omnipresence of God. For example, Black Elk held the position of medicine or holy man among his tribe. I found the following attributed to him:
“The Great Spirit is everywhere; he hears whatever is in our minds and our hearts, and it is not necessary to speak to Him in a loud voice.” (Black Elk of the Lakota tribe)
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The Bible also speaks of God’s greatness:
Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One God! Therefore you shall adore the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. [Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30]
As do the Hindu Vedas:
Let us meditate on God, His glorious attributes, who is the basis of everything in this universe as its Creator, who is fit to be worshiped as Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient and self existent conscious being, who removes all ignorance and impurities from the mind and purifies and sharpens our intellect. (Gayatri Mantra, Yajur Veda)
We find similar passages in the scriptures and traditions of a great many faiths.
Here are some examples from the Quran:
[6:103] No visions can encompass Him, but He encompasses all visions. He is the Compassionate, the Cognizant.
[59:22-25] He is the One GOD; there is no other god besides Him. Knower of all secrets and declarations. He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
He is the One GOD; there is no other God besides Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.
He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
Dr. Oliver Blosser has an M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a licensed minister and has over 18 years of pastoral ministry experience. He has led numerous study groups on trips to the Holy Land, lectures and presents for a variety of speaking engagements, and is a member of the National Association of Professors of Hebrew.
7 Truth Only the Spiritually Awakened Understand
