Reclaiming the Meaning of a Misused Word

When “Spiritual” Becomes a Catch-All

“Spirituality” is having a cultural moment. From yoga studios to dating profiles, crystals to counseling rooms, people are reaching for it to name their hunger for something more. But in a world where “spiritual” can mean anything, the question arises: does it still mean something Holy?

How important is spirituality to your life? For me, it’s not a mood, a mantra, or a morning ritual—it’s a matter of eternal consequence. But with that conviction comes a burden: to clarify what spirituality truly is before anyone claims it.

Every Spirit Isn’t Holy

Not every spiritual practice is innocent. And not every spirit honors the Lord. From a biblical lens, practices like divination, palmistry, fortune-telling, and ancestral reverence don’t align with the Holy Spirit—they oppose Him. Deuteronomy 18 is uncompromising: these are detestable to God.

The mingling is real. Many today wear crosses and burn sage. They read both Psalms and horoscopes. But God never called us to blend. He called us to come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17).

When the Prophet Is Mistaken for a Psychic

I once told a friend “I am spiritual” after gently confronting a lie she’d wrapped in charm. What she heard wasn’t holiness—it was mystery. Suddenly, she saw me as a seer. She brought others to me like clients to a medium, asking questions about love, betrayal, and the future. She mistook my discernment for entertainment. My spirituality, for fortune-telling.

That encounter became my mirror. In her eyes, my faith had become a service. But in my spirit, I knew better. With all the love I had, I rebuked her gently and called her to repentance. Later, I learned she was entangled in witchcraft—controlling her circle with unseen strings.

By Their Fruit, You Shall Know Them

That moment didn’t make me proud—it made me prayerful. It reminded me: spirituality is not performance. It is not power to predict or impress. It is presence. It is purity. It is proof of surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Spirit-fill can happen in a moment. But true spirituality is lived in the mundane—the fruit, not the fire. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit, you will recognize them.”

Called to Unblur the Lines

In an era where spiritual language is borrowed and bent, the Church must rise to redefine. We must stop flirting with the counterfeit and return to consecration. The Holy Spirit is not one among many energies. He is God. And to be spiritual is to be surrendered—not scattered among practices, but rooted in the Word.

To the believer: you are not called to be “open” to every spirit. You are called to test them (1 John 4:1). And to the seeker: beware of spiritual paths that promise peace but whisper rebellion.

An Invitation to Surrender

So yes, spirituality is essential to my life. But only one kind: Holy Spirit-led, Christ-centered, Scripture-shaped. The kind that convicts, conforms, and comforts.

If you’ve worn the name “spiritual” but never known the name of Jesus, today is the day to come home. He’s not asking for your intuition. He’s asking for your surrender. His Spirit doesn’t just reveal truth—He is truth. And, He is still welcoming hearts into light.

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