Loving God in Spirit and Truth

Loving God in Spirit and Truth
By Chad Constantino

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:18-20
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20, NIV)

Devotional:
There is a profound difference between the kingdom of God and the natural realm. In the natural realm, we interact with each other through our love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. These expressions rely on our five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to connect and show love.
But how do we show love to God? How can we express our love to the One who is Spirit and beyond our natural senses?
* Words of Affirmation: We love God through thanksgiving and gratitude. By acknowledging His goodness, faithfulness, and love, we offer Him the affirmation He deserves.
* Quality Time: Worship becomes our intimate time with God. Whether through prayer, singing, or meditation, we set aside moments to focus solely on Him.
* Gifts: Our tithes, offerings, and acts of generosity toward those in need are gifts we present to God. As Jesus said, “What you did for the least of these, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
* Acts of Service: Serving others is a direct way of serving God. When we bless a child or help someone in need, we reflect God’s love and bring glory to Him.
* Touch: When we offer a comforting hug or a gentle touch to someone in need, we allow God’s comfort to flow through us to them.
Ephesians 5:18-20 reminds us that instead of seeking fulfillment through worldly substances or distractions, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not about what we take in but about what we pour out. When we thank, praise, and worship God—when we speak His Word and sing His truths—we create space for the Spirit to overflow in our lives.

Psalm 100:4 instructs us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Each time we choose gratitude and worship over our fleshly desires, we draw nearer to God’s presence. Being filled with the Spirit is an act of giving—a pouring out of our love, faith, and praise.

Reflection Questions:
1. How can you incorporate thanksgiving and praise into your daily routine to draw closer to God?
2. In what ways can you serve others this week as an act of love toward God?
3. Are there areas in your life where you need to choose God’s Spirit over worldly distractions?
Prayer: Father, thank You for inviting me to love You in spirit and truth. Teach me to offer my words, time, gifts, service, and touch as acts of worship to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and let my praise overflow, bringing glory to Your name. Help me to walk in Your ways and love others as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.