Spiritual vs. Temporal — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 1, 2024
Spiritual relates to the immaterial, religious, or metaphysical aspects of life, while temporal concerns the material, worldly, and time-bound aspects.
Difference Between Spiritual and Temporal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Spiritual aspects of life encompass beliefs, practices, and experiences related to the soul, religion, or the metaphysical. They are concerned with immaterial values, the pursuit of inner peace, and connections to a higher power or the deeper aspects of the human psyche. Temporal aspects, on the other hand, refer to the material, secular, and time-bound facets of existence, focusing on physical needs, societal structures, and the immediate, tangible aspects of life.
The spiritual realm is often associated with the quest for meaning beyond the physical world, involving faith, morality, and enlightenment. It transcends the immediate concerns of daily life, offering a perspective that looks beyond the finite nature of human existence. The temporal realm, however, is anchored in the here and now, dealing with the practicalities of living, such as economics, politics, and physical health.
Spiritual beliefs and practices can vary widely, from organized religion to personal meditation and mindfulness, reflecting the diverse ways individuals seek connection and fulfillment beyond the physical world. Temporal concerns are more universally recognized, as they deal with the common needs and challenges faced by all humans in their daily lives, such as work, governance, and environmental issues.
The interplay between spiritual and temporal aspects of life can be complex, with many finding their spiritual beliefs influencing their approach to temporal matters. Conversely, temporal realities can challenge or deepen one’s spiritual beliefs, demonstrating the dynamic relationship between the material and immaterial aspects of human experience.
Despite their differences, both spiritual and temporal dimensions are essential to the human condition. The spiritual offers a sense of purpose and connection that transcends the material world, while the temporal provides the practical foundation necessary for physical existence and social order.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Relates to the immaterial and metaphysical
Concerns the material, worldly, and secular
Focus
Faith, enlightenment, inner peace
Physical needs, societal structures, immediacy
Time Perspective
Transcendent, beyond time
Anchored in the present, time-bound
Practices
Meditation, prayer, religious rituals
Governance, economics, healthcare
Influence on Life
Offers meaning beyond physical existence
Addresses practical needs and challenges
Compare with Definitions
Spiritual
Seeks to connect with a higher power or deeper self.
Spiritual retreats often aim to deepen participants' connection to the divine or their inner selves.
Temporal
Grounded in the here and now, dealing with immediate realities.
Temporal power is exercised by governments through legislation and enforcement.
Spiritual
Varies widely across different cultures and individual beliefs.
Spiritual practices can range from organized religion to personal mindfulness routines.
Temporal
Relates to the physical and material aspects of existence.
The temporal concerns of the community included job creation and infrastructure development.
Spiritual
Focused on inner peace, enlightenment, and faith.
He found spiritual solace in the teachings of his faith.
Temporal
Addresses the challenges and needs of physical life.
Addressing climate change is a temporal challenge that requires immediate action.
Spiritual
Offers a sense of purpose beyond the material world.
Many turn to spiritual beliefs to find meaning in life beyond material success.
Temporal
Focused on the practicalities of daily living and societal needs.
Government policies often address temporal needs such as healthcare and education.
Spiritual
Concerns the immaterial and transcendent aspects of life.
Her spiritual journey led her to explore various forms of meditation.
Temporal
Influences how societies are structured and governed.
Temporal laws and regulations dictate the functioning of societies.
Spiritual
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not material; supernatural
Spiritual power.
Temporal
Relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; secular
The Church did not imitate the secular rulers who thought only of temporal gain
Spiritual
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul
Spiritual guidance.
Spiritual growth.
Temporal
Relating to time
The spatial and temporal dimensions of human interference in complex ecosystems
Spiritual
Not concerned with material or worldly things
Led a spiritual life.
Temporal
Of or situated in the temples of the head
Arterial biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis of temporal arteritis
Spiritual
Of or belonging to a religion; sacred
Spiritual practices.
Spiritual music.
Temporal
Of, relating to, or limited by time
A temporal dimension.
Temporal and spatial boundaries.
Spiritual
A religious folk song of African American origin.
Temporal
Of or relating to the material world; worldly
The temporal possessions of the Church.
Spiritual
A work composed in imitation of such a song.
Temporal
Lasting only for a time; not eternal; passing
Our temporal existence.
Spiritual
Often spirituals Religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters.
Temporal
Secular or lay; civil
Lords temporal and spiritual.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
Temporal
(Grammar) Expressing time
A temporal adverb.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred, pure; inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Temporal
Of, relating to, or near the temples of the skull.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
Temporal
(relational) Of or relating to the material world, as opposed to sacred or clerical.
Temporal power, temporal courts
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
A spiritual substance or being
Temporal
(relational) Relating to time:
Spiritual
Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Temporal
Of limited time, transient, passing, not perpetual, as opposed to eternal.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
The spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation
Temporal
Of or relating to time as distinguished from space.
Spiritual
A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
Temporal
Of or relating to the sequence of time or to a particular time.
Spiritual
Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.
Temporal
(grammar) Relating to or denoting time or tense.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as, a spiritual substance or being.
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Temporal
Of or situated in the temples of the head or the sides of the skull behind the orbits.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Temporal
Anything temporal or secular; a temporality.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
Temporal
(skeleton) temporal bone
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; - opposed to carnal.
That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.
Temporal
(zootomy) Any of a reptile's scales on the side of the head between the parietal and supralabial scales, and behind the postocular scales.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as, the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation.
Temporal
Of or pertaining to the temple or temples; as, the temporal bone; a temporal artery.
Spiritual
A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals.
Temporal
Of or pertaining to time, that is, to the present life, or this world; secular, as distinguished from sacred or eternal.
The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs?
Spiritual
A kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Temporal
Civil or political, as distinguished from ecclesiastical; as, temporal power; temporal courts.
Spiritual
Concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church;
Religious texts
A nenber if a religious order
Lords temporal and spiritual
Spiritual leaders
Spiritual songs
Temporal
Anything temporal or secular; a temporality; - used chiefly in the plural.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor or temporals.
Spiritual
Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul;
A spiritual approach to life
Spiritual fulfillment
Spiritual values
Unearthly love
Temporal
The semantic role of the noun phrase that designating the time of the state or action denoted by the verb
Spiritual
Lacking material body or form or substance;
Spiritual beings
The vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm
Temporal
Not eternal;
Temporal matters of but fleeting moment
Spiritual
Like or being a phantom;
A ghostly face at the window
A phantasmal presence in the room
Spectral emanations
Spiritual tappings at a seance
Temporal
Of or relating to or limited by time;
Temporal processing
Temporal dimensions
Temporal and spacial boundaries
Music is a temporal art
Temporal
Of or relating to the temples (the sides of the skull behind the orbit);
Temporal bone
Temporal
Of the material world;
Temporal possessions of the church
Temporal
Concerned with secular rather than sacred matters;
Lords temporal and spiritual
Temporal
Of this earth or world;
Temporal joys
Our temporal existence
Common Curiosities
What does "spiritual" mean?
"Spiritual" pertains to the immaterial, often involving religious, moral, or metaphysical aspects of life, focusing on inner peace and enlightenment.
Can someone be concerned with both spiritual and temporal matters?
Yes, most people navigate both realms, balancing their spiritual beliefs and practices with the practicalities of temporal existence.
How do cultures vary in their approach to spiritual and temporal matters?
Cultures vary widely in how they balance and integrate spiritual and temporal aspects, influenced by historical, religious, and social factors.
Is spirituality only related to religion?
While often associated with religion, spirituality can also encompass personal beliefs and practices that transcend organized religion.
How do temporal challenges impact spiritual practices?
Temporal challenges can test and deepen spiritual beliefs, as individuals seek meaning and solace in their faith or spiritual practices during difficult times.
What impact does technology have on spiritual and temporal aspects?
Technology impacts temporal aspects by shaping economies and societies, while also offering new ways to explore spirituality through virtual communities and resources.
What does "temporal" mean?
"Temporal" relates to the material world, including secular affairs, time-bound phenomena, and the practical aspects of daily life.
How do spiritual beliefs influence temporal actions?
Spiritual beliefs can guide moral and ethical decisions, affecting how individuals approach societal issues, relationships, and personal goals.
How do spiritual and temporal aspects differ?
Spiritual aspects transcend the physical and are concerned with faith and the immaterial, while temporal aspects are grounded in the material world and practical realities.
Why is the balance between spiritual and temporal aspects important?
Balancing spiritual and temporal aspects is crucial for holistic well-being, fulfilling both material needs and the human search for meaning and connection.
How can one explore spiritual matters?
Exploring spiritual matters can involve religious study, meditation, reflection on personal beliefs, and engagement with various spiritual traditions.
Are temporal matters less important than spiritual ones?
No, both are essential to human life; spiritual matters offer meaning and purpose, while temporal matters address practical and immediate needs.
Can temporal power conflict with spiritual authority?
Yes, throughout history, there have been conflicts between secular authorities (temporal power) and religious or spiritual leaders (spiritual authority).
What role do temporal affairs play in society?
Temporal affairs, such as governance, economics, and healthcare, play a crucial role in maintaining social order and addressing the collective needs of a community.
Can spiritual and temporal authorities coexist peacefully?
Yes, with mutual respect and understanding, spiritual and temporal authorities can coexist and complement each other's roles in society.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
