Matthew 15:8-9(MSG) These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it.
When Jesus tells us, we must worship in Spirit, He is referring to the fact that our worship needs to come from our hearts. Worship must be genuine.
True worship is in spirit which means it is spirit led and from the heart, that is where it originates; not from some religious compulsion to give honour and glory to the King of kings.
Romans 8:16(MSG) God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
Romans 12:1-2(ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
“Worship means using our minds and hearts and bodies to express the worth of God and all He is for us in Jesus.” – from www.DesiringGod.com
1 Corinthians 6:19-20(ESV) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Hebrews 11:6(CJB) And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a Rewarder to those who seek him out.
Rom 12:2(ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, [now here comes the aim] that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Worship is the conforming of our will to God’s will, our agreement with God. Worship does not have to be words spoken, rather a devoting and surrendering of yourself in the presence of the living God communing with Him as He sees fit.