The phrase "worship God in spirit and truth" comes from Jesus conversation with the woman at the well in John 4:6-30. To worship God in spirit and truth means to worship Him with the whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to do so in a way that is informed by the truths of the Bible. Here are some key points to understand:

• Worship in Spirit: This means that our worship must come from the heart and be genuine. It cannot be mechanical or formalistic, and it must be motivated by our love for God and gratitude for all He is and has done. Worship in spirit blots out the idea of legalism, rituals, or vain repetition.

• Worship in Truth: This means that our worship must be done in accordance with the truths of the Bible. It must be informed by who God is and what He is like, and it must conform to the revelation of God in Scripture. Worship in truth demands that all physical postures or symbolic actions must be infused with heartfelt commitment and faith and love and zeal.

• Both are necessary: True worship must be in spirit and in truth. Spirit without truth leads to a shallow, overly emotional experience that could be compared to a high. Truth without spirit can result in a dry, passionless encounter that can easily lead to a form of joyless legalism. The best combination of both aspects of worship results in a joyous appreciation of God informed by Scripture.

In summary, to worship God in spirit and truth means to worship Him with the whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to do so in a way that is informed by the truths of the Bible. It means that our worship must be genuine, heartfelt, and free from legalism or vain repetition, and it must be done in accordance with the truths of the Bible. Both aspects of worship are necessary for God-honoring worship.