HUMANS possess a spiritual need that is as fundamental as the need for food. Many feel that as long as you do something spiritual, it really does not matter what you choose to believe or what form of worship you engage in. What do you think? Does it matter how you satisfy your spiritual need? What does the Bible say?
The Bible identifies an element essential to human spirituality. At 1 Corinthians 2:12-15, it describes a spiritual person as one who receives the spirit that is from God. This spirit is God’s active force, and its operation is a prerequisite to getting to know spiritual things. A person is thus able to examine and understand issues from a spiritual perspective. By contrast, a person lacking God’s spirit is called a physical man, one who considers spiritual things as foolishness. As a result, his conclusions are limited to what human wisdom alone reveals. In fact, those who refuse to be influenced by God’s spirit, choosing instead to pursue their own desires and ungodly things, are described as not having spirituality. They are driven by fleshly appetites and inclinations according to 1 Corinthians 2:14.
True spiritual fulfillment begins with acknowledging Jehovah as the Creator and recognizing that we owe our existence to him. (Revelation 4:11) We thus realize that our life has meaning only to the extent that we do his will. (Psalm 115:1) Doing God’s will provides purpose in life, an aspect of our spiritual need that is as vital as our physical need for food.
Since we are created in God’s image, true spiritual satisfaction also depends on our conforming our personality to his. (Colossians 3:10) By so doing, we avoid conduct that demeans us or that damages our relationships with others. (Ephesians 4:24-32) Choosing to live by Jehovah’s standards elevates our lives and contributes to real peace of mind.
Thus, if we develop a relationship with Jehovah God, seek to do his will, and follow his guidance, we will find the truth behind the Bible’s words: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”​—Matthew 5:3.