The Three Types of Holiness

Understanding True Holiness: Body, Spirit, and Their Unity in Christ

Holiness is not merely about appearance or isolated acts of piety—it is a call to live entirely set apart for God, both inwardly and outwardly. The Bible presents a complete picture of holiness that involves both the body and the spirit. This message explores the three main expressions of holiness and encourages believers to pursue the kind that truly pleases God.

1. Holiness of the Body

This type of holiness refers to how we carry ourselves physically. It includes modesty in appearance, purity in behavior, and self-discipline in our physical actions. Our bodies are not neutral vessels; they are temples of the Holy Spirit and must reflect the testimony of Christ.

Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Galatians 5:19–21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage… drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

Bodily holiness means avoiding the defilements of the flesh. This includes sexual immorality, drunkenness, self-gratification, and even worldly or attention-seeking fashion choices that conflict with a Christlike witness.

However, bodily holiness on its own can be deceptive if it isn’t rooted in spiritual transformation. One may look holy but still lack the fruits of the Spirit.

2. Holiness of the Spirit

This kind of holiness is inward. It reflects your relationship with God through prayer, the study of Scripture, obedience, worship, and a life that produces spiritual fruit. It’s about your heart posture and your motives before God.

Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

John 4:24
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

This is the kind of holiness that God deeply desires—one that comes from within. You can dress modestly and avoid visible sin, but if there is no love, humility, or repentance in your heart, it is not true holiness.

Still, many spiritually mature believers struggle with the outward reflection of their faith due to two common hindrances:

a. Misleading Spiritual Leaders

Some Christians sincerely want to align their outer life with their inner faith, but they become confused when they see their pastors or church leaders dressing immodestly or endorsing worldly behavior. This creates spiritual tension and can lead to compromise.

But Scripture warns us that not all spiritual leaders will enter the Kingdom:

Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to me… ‘Did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Don’t let miracles or titles blind you to God’s truth. The standard is not the leader—it is the Word of God. Follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, not the crowd.

b. Pressure from Family or Culture

Sometimes it’s not spiritual leaders, but family, tradition, or cultural norms that hinder outward holiness. The expectations of parents or relatives can carry great emotional weight—but honoring God must come first.

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate [i.e., love less] father and mother, wife and children… such a person cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus is not calling us to hate our families, but to prioritize Him above all. Your identity must be rooted in Christ, not in cultural conformity.

3. Holiness of Body and Spirit

This is the complete form of holiness God calls every believer to. It is the integration of inward and outward purity—a consistent, Christ-centered life in word, thought, appearance, and behavior.

1 Corinthians 7:34
“An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit…”

2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

This type of holiness—both internal and external—is essential to seeing God:

Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

It is not enough to be pure on the inside or clean on the outside. God is seeking people who are entirely His—inside and out.

Raising the Standard of Holiness

Jesus taught that our righteousness must exceed that of religious leaders who were more concerned with rules than with God’s heart.

Matthew 5:20
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

True holiness means going beyond cultural morality or religious appearance. It means walking with God in a way that impacts how we live, speak, worship, and even dress. The world must see Christ in us.

God has not called us to partial holiness. He desires a complete surrender—a life where our bodies and spirits both reflect His presence.