Worship Him In Truth and Spirit John 4:23

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23

This verse is crucial for two reasons. First, this is part of Jesus’ correction on the meaning of worship. The Samaritan woman attempted to distract Jesus from her sin, by asking Him to resolve an old spiritual argument. This was the question of where proper worship should occur: Mount Gerizim or the temple of Jerusalem? Rather than taking the bait, Jesus clarifies that “true” worship of God is not tied to a location, but to the intent of one’s heart.

True worshipers don’t worship first and foremost in their bodies but in spirit. The act of worship is not an outward expression or physical observance but an inward attitude that acknowledges God’s worthiness and honors Him as the supreme authority over one’s life. True worshipers demonstrate adoration for an audience of One. They don’t bow down or lift their hands to be seen by others. They don’t sing to be heard by humans. They don’t fast or pray to earn worldly recognition (Matthew 6:6, 18). True worshipers exalt God alone, for His pleasure only, because He alone is worthy (Exodus 34:14; 1 Chronicles 16:25–19). They treasure God and long for His presence (Psalm 42:1–2; 63:1).

God’s Word is also truth (Psalm 119:160; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15), so true worshipers seek to grow in their knowledge of it and live by it. They follow Scripture’s call to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). They pursue holiness, obeying God’s truth made known through His Word (1 Corinthians 14:26, 40; 1 Chronicles 16:37–42; Micah 6:6–8).