Have you ever thought about how much our society focuses on tangible, physical, and surface level things? Whether it be social media platforms, your favorite sports team, a trending video game, or the viral recipe circulating the internet – there’s always something new that needs to be seen. The world does anything it can to grab our attention, and you know what? It works.
We’ve become so focused on finding happiness on the outside, that we tend to forget about what’s on the inside. Don’t get me wrong, taking care of ourselves and physical needs are important. But how are you doing on the inside?
We have been given the most amazing blessing on this planet: a relationship with God. What do you think God would want for our relationship with Him? One where we’re focused on the things right in front of us? Or a relationship that focuses on the deeper, unseen things? We have to ask ourselves, what should the focus in our faith be?
Spiritual Things vs Physical Things
Each day, we wake up and begin our routines. We’re consumed with our daily tasks and responsibilities from morning ’til evening. Usually, our thoughts and attention automatically go to the physical needs and concerns, because those things are in our faces at all times.
But what about the part of us we can’t see? There is something within us that needs the same care and attention we give to our physical bodies. But oftentimes, it can be overlooked or neglected. Our spirits. All too easily, we forget that we need to nourish our spirits. And when we do finally remember or realize we’ve been neglecting them, our poor spirits are desperately in need of some care. So between your spirit and your physical body, the flesh, which is more important? Which should receive more attention and care? Well, let’s see what the Bible says.
The Spirit or The Flesh
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
We need to prioritize spirit over flesh, because our spirits are eternal. It’s what God Himself has guaranteed to last forever. The things in front of us right now, those are temporary; they will fade away. We can understand from many different areas in life, whether it be a relationship, a car, or a plant. If we focus only on the outer things, the surface level…the looks, the exterior…that leads to big problems. A relationship that doesn’t focus or unite on core values will end. A car whose engine isn’t properly cared for will fail. A plant whose leaves seem to be fine but has rotten roots will die.
So with all that being said, which should be the focus for us in our lives of faith? The external things that everyone can see? Or the spirit which only you and God know? Before we answer that, let’s consider why we even have a relationship with God and a faith to begin with.
The Purpose of Having a Life of Faith
What is the purpose of having a life of faith? What is your hope as a Christian? This is what the Bible says about the end goal:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 17:3
Our hope as Christians is to have this eternal life and to be with God and Jesus. But why is it so hard to strive for this goal every day? In many of our prayers, we usually ask to become more Christ-like, to share God’s love, to be in His presence. But we have to strengthen our spirits first, and then these prayers will become a reality. We must meet God where He’s at – in the spirit.
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
I know what you must be thinking, “that’s easier said than done”. Absolutely, I agree. But once we truly understand the importance of choosing our spirit over flesh, it’ll get easier. Our spirits are the very thing that can connect us to God. He’s the One who formed our spirits within us (Zechariah 12:1), for the very purpose of dwelling together. So, what can we do to ensure that our precious spirits are being taken care of? How do we make sure that our flesh doesn’t take our focus off of this connection with God?
Spirits are Eternal, Flesh Counts for Nothing
Thankfully for us, God has given us a direct lifeline to Him for spiritual healthcare: the Bible. The more we read His word, the more we talk to God through prayer, the more our spirits will be filled. On the other hand, think of how our spirits will fare if we continuously fill up our bodies with physical foods and satisfy our flesh, but aren’t nourishing the spirit.
If you think back to specific prayers, whether it’s a prayer you’ve said or heard, what was usually the focus? Was it happiness, wealth, love, health, or dreams? We usually pray for physical things and for God to help and bless our physical lives. But as we’ve talked about, are these really the things we should be praying for?
Since prayer is a way of talking to God, what if we made our spirits the topic of prayer? In John 6:63 it says,
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
God has made it perfectly clear what our focus should be. He also wants to help us make our spiritual lives the focus. We need to ask Him to help us take care of and grow our spirits, and ask Him to help our spirits resemble His. The more we’re connected with God’s spirit, the more we’ll be able to understand Him, His heart, and His plans.
If you’ve realized that you haven’t been paying as much attention to the inside as you should, like you’ve been in a spiritual drought, ask God to help fill you with His water that nourishes and cleanses. If you haven’t been properly feeding your spirit, ask Him for the spiritual food, the daily bread that gives life.
What We Need to Focus On: Spirit or Flesh
God, we pray that we can focus on Your spiritual matters rather than what we see in front of us. As 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Each day when we wake up, we get to choose what our focus will be. My prayer for us all is that we choose what we can’t see, the things of God and heaven. It’s not always easy, but it will be worth it in the end. May we always choose to focus on our eternal spirits, so we can dwell eternally with our Creator.
Written by Gabriella
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Check out these other posts about the unseen and how to take care of our spirits!
Why Can’t I See God? How to Believe in the One You Can’t See
How Is Your Spirit? Spiritual Plant Care 101
5 God-Centered Ways to Grow Spiritually in 2021
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