The Bible teaches that God is spirit. But what exactly does this mean? Let’s take a closer look at what Scripture says about the spiritual nature of God.
God is not physical
When the Bible says that God is spirit, it is contrasting His nature with the physical world. John 4:24 states, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” This verse indicates that God’s essence is spiritual rather than physical. He does not have a tangible, material body.
God is the creator of the physical universe, but He Himself is not part of it. He is greater than and distinct from His creation. 1 Kings 8:27 notes, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” God is so immense that He cannot be confined by the physical world.
God is personal
Though God is spirit, He is not impersonal or simply an abstract force. The fact that God is spirit does not mean He is less than personal. The Bible describes Him as a God who sees, knows, hears, speaks, and acts. God has intellect, emotions, and will.
For example, Genesis 6:6 mentions that God was grieved in His heart. Exodus 3:7 states, “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings.’” These verses demonstrate that God experiences emotions.
God also demonstrates His personhood by speaking to people and establishing relationships with them. Exodus 33:11 notes, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Although God is spirit, He relates to people in very personal ways.
God is invisible
Since God is an immaterial spirit, He is invisible. No one has ever truly seen God in all His fullness (John 1:18). He remains hidden from human sight. 1 Timothy 1:17 describes Him as “the invisible God.”
However, there are instances in the Bible where God makes Himself known to people through visible manifestations. Genesis 18 records that God appeared to Abraham in the form of a man. Exodus 13:21-22 describes God appearing as a pillar of cloud or fire. While these temporary theophanies gave glimpses of God’s glory, they did not reveal His entire essence.
God’s spiritual invisibility also points to His holiness. Scripture emphasizes God’s otherness from creation. His ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). As an invisible Spirit, God is mystically transcendent.
God is omnipresent
Since God is an infinite, immaterial spirit, He is not limited by a physical body. He is present everywhere at all times. Theologians refer to this as God’s omnipresence. Psalm 139:7-10 beautifully expresses this truth:
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
God’s presence fills all of creation. Yet He remains distinct from it. His spiritual transcendence surpasses the physical universe while also pervading it.
God is all-powerful
The fact that God is spirit means He is not limited by physical weaknesses. He has unlimited power and sovereign authority over all things. Isaiah 40:28 states, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” God exercises His infinite spiritual power in upholding the cosmos.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated authority over nature, demons, sickness, and death. However, He temporarily veiled the full display of His divine power. After His resurrection, Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). The spiritually omnipotent Savior reigns supreme!
God is righteous and just
God’s spiritual essence includes moral attributes. He is absolutely holy, righteous, and just. There is no sin or moral failure in Him. 1 John 1:5 testifies, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” His spiritual perfection sets Him apart from sinful humanity.
However, God demonstrated His mercy by sending Jesus to die for sinners. All who repent and believe in Christ are forgiven and spiritually regenerated by God. Through Christ, sinful people can have their relationship with the holy Creator restored. Those who know God have received His Spirit within them.
God is eternal
The spiritual nature of God also means He is eternal. He exists beyond the bounds of physical time and space. Psalm 90:2 proclaims, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God inhabits eternity.
God does not age or change. His purposes remain fixed forever. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The eternal Spirit created time itself and sovereignly controls it for His glory. He transcends time while actively working within it.
God is triune
The Bible progressively reveals that God’s spiritual being includes plurality within unity. There is only one God, yet He exists eternally as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This concept is known as the Trinity.
Each member of the Trinity is fully and equally God. They share the identical divine essence. Yet the three persons relate to one another with beautiful intimacy. Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11). The Trinity demonstrates that God is love within His own spiritual being.
People can know God’s Spirit
How should God’s spiritual nature impact those who follow Him? Every person needs to get to know the Spirit of God in a real, intimate way. Christianity is all about deepening your spiritual connection with the Creator.
Through faith in Christ, God’s Spirit comes to dwell within believers. 1 Corinthians 3:16 states, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” Having the Spirit allows believers to understand and commune with God, walk in new life, produce spiritual fruit, and use spiritual gifts for His glory.
One day, Christians will fully know God’s Spirit when they see Him face to face in eternal glory. Until then, make it your aim to grow closer to the Spirit who lives within your heart.
Key points
- God is an immaterial, invisible spirit rather than a physical being confined to this world.
- Though God is spirit, He remains personal and relational.
- As an infinite spirit, God is omnipresent, all-powerful, transcendent, and eternal.
- God’s spiritual attributes include righteousness, justice, holiness, and love.
- The doctrine of the Trinity means God exists eternally as three persons sharing one essence.
- Through Christ, believers can know God’s Spirit dwell within them and commune with Him.
Understanding the spiritual nature of God fuels worship, intimacy, reverence, and obedience. Christians serve a God far greater than what we can physically perceive. Yet this infinite Spirit has drawn near to make Himself known. By His grace, finite creatures can fellowship with the eternal Creator through the work of Christ and the Spirit’s indwelling presence.