Can Your Life Have Greater Meaning?

Satisfying Our Spiritual Need

As noted earlier, Jesus Christ associated happiness with awareness of our spiritual need.  We have been created with both a spiritual and a moral capacity.  Hence, the Bible refers to "the spiritual man" and "the secret person of the heart." -1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

According to An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine, the figurative  heart stands for "man's entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements."  By way of explanation, Vine adds:  "In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life."  The same work also notes that "the heart, as lying deep within,contains 'the hidden man,' . . .the real man."

How can we satisfy the needs of "the spiritual man," or "the hidden man," that is "the secret person of the heart"?  We take an important step in doing this and satisfying our spiritual need when we acknowledge the point made by the inspired psalmist who sang:  "Know that Jehovah is God.  It is he that  has made us, and not we ourselves.  We are his people and the sheep of pasturage."  (Psalm 100:3)  Recognition of this reasonably leads us to conclude that we are accountable to God.  If we want to be included among "his people and the sheep of his pasturage," we must act in harmony with his Word, the Bible. 

Is that such a bad thing? No, for awareness that our conduct matters  to God adds meaning to our lives.  It encourages us to be better individuals-certainly a worthwhile goal.  "Happy is the man in fear of Jehovah, in whose commandments he has taken very much delight," says Psalm 112:1.  Reverential fear of God and heartfelt obedience to  his commandments can give our lives greater meaning.

Next time: Conclusion of Satisfying Our Spiritual Need

Watchtower, 2000