And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Recurrent Thought

Christ-devoted followers should grow from glory to glory. However, this is proportional to the intensity of one’s hunger for experiences with God.

Spiritual encounters are significant experiences that change our perception of the truth of God that arrests our lives at that moment or in that season. Encounters illuminates or heightens the significance of the knowledge of God in our lives to the end that it may sound totally new to us, albeit it is the same word of God. By the Grace of God, Paul wrote that he desired that whenever he preached the gospel to his hearers, his goal was that they experience transformation by the Word undergirded by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some truths about Spiritual Encounters

1.Spiritual Encounters Are Largely Word and Deed (Spirit) Experiences (Ch. 1:5)

• Paul constantly desired that the Gospel set a platform for both a Truth and Power Encounters; Paul clearly states that the Conveyors of Spiritual Encounters are Truth and Power Encounters
• Truth encounter is when people are confronted by the Word of God carried under the unction of the Holy Spirit igniting a transformation of life
• Power Encounter is any outward demonstration of God's sovereign power used to advance the kingdom of God.
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word and truth that confronts human minds in the Truth Encounter
• Both encounters are necessary despite that only truth encounter ushers in the Transformation of the heart.
• Read Romans 15: 18-20 ;1 Cor. 2: 1-5

2.Spiritual Lives are Shaped and Changed by Encounters

• Paul clearly shows that due to this Truth and Power Encounter people’s lives were changed. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you (1:5b)
• Spiritual Growth is a Product of Encounters 2 Cor. 3: 18

3.Spiritual Encounters help to Produce Convictions

• Convictions are strongly held beliefs that drive action
• A man with strong convictions is more reliable than one without
• Convictions are demonstrated practically (1: 5b)

Results of Encounters

When you encounter the Lord, varied results occur depending on what God aims to work in our lives. Some people may experience the following changes:

1.Repentance and Deep Contrition (Psa.51:3–4) Most encounters forces us to come to have another level of understanding with our own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. 

   Psa 51:2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 

   Psa 51:3  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 

   Psa 51:4  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment

2.New understanding, Knowledge and Direction (Matt 4:18–20) Every spiritual encounter, ushers newer illumination of the word (knowledge) that takes you to another level of understanding the revelation of God and ultimately demands a new direction in life.

Pro 4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” 

3.Transformed character (Gen. 32:1–8, 27–28) Character change is inevitable. When Jacob encountered God, his relationship with his brother Esau changed. (Story of Jacob’s Wrestling)

4.Fresh and Renewed love for God and His Will (John 21:14–19) We realize we have more chances to establish our love for him. When Peter had an encounter with Jesus at the Shore of Lake Galilee after having denied him, he had a renewed love for God (Feed my Lamb Experience)

If encounters are essential and mark our shifts into new levels of living, how do I then get ready for one? A Christ devoted follower must:

1. Always develop an attitude of openness and transparency before the Lord
2. When the Lord speaks, surrender to Him and seek to do whatever He wants to do in you,
3. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Wait before him
4. Have hunger and expectancy

Principle on Spiritual Transformation & Growth

Believers have little growth because they have less encounters with the Word and the Spirit and the absence of encounters is directly related to the level of hunger to have an experience with God (Psalm 42: 1-3; 2 Cor. 3: 16-18)

Conclusion

Hunger is the prerequisite for Word and Spirit Encounters