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I'm confused, because the rules say:
Spell-Like Abilities: Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability's use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component. A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.
Which describes SLAs as spells that you cast: specifying it's casting time and (spell) components only make sense if it is a spell, and of course it says that it functions as a spell except as specified.
But then we have a certain FAQ whose turn of phrase suggests otherwise, without actually addressing the issue completely:
Spell-Like Abilities as Spells: Does a creature with a spell-like ability count as having that spell on its spell list for the purpose of activating spell completion or spell trigger items?
No. A spell-like ability is not a spell, having a spell-like ability is not part of a class's spell list, and therefore doesn't give the creature the ability to activate spell completion or spell trigger items.
Of course, the topic of that FAQ is spell lists, and the basic answer to that FAQ shouldn't change whether or not SLAs are spells, since they don't create any 'spell list' but are just autonomous abilities.
Likewise, there are some other comments from SKR:
The absolutely correct answer is "spell-like abilities are not spells, and therefore do not count as spells for anything that requires actual spellcasting."
But that was in the context of somebody asking if SLAs qualify for magic crafting feats, which have "Caster Level: X" as a requirement. Again, whether or not SLAs are spells or not has no bearing on that answer because SLAs don't give you any over-all Caster Level, they only have an effective Caster Level FOR THAT SLA.
SLAs are not spells. You can only add metamagic feats to spells. So, no, you can't use metamagic feats to alter qinggong monk abilities that duplicate the effects of spells.
Likewise in response to somebody asking about using Metamagic Feats with SLAs, whether or not SLAs are spells doesn't matter to the answer because Metamagic Feats require modifying the spell level required to cast the spell, even if you have reduced the Spell Level modification to zero you still plausibly need to be able to modify the spell level, i.e. have spell slots (which SLAs don't provide).
So, I'm not sure whether these responces SHOULDN'T be taken out of context, leaving SLAs working like spells except as stated in RAW, or whether Paizo IS actually stating otherwise... The latter seems like it runs into conflict with the RAW for SLAs, or at least is a hugely non-obvious addition to that rule. If true, that seems like it deserves it's own FAQ, not as an aside for something essentially distinct (spell lists, caster level pre-reqs, etc). If that is the case, that seems to have implications for many things specifically applying to spells...? Not the least would be things like Spell Focus or Bloodline abilities (which apply to 'any' casting you do), which I would think apply to SLAs since you do cast them, unlike spell trigger/completion items...?
Given the information on the subject, this is how I would explain it:
A SLA creates an effect that provokes an AoO and possibly has to deal with a targets SR. It doesn't require any sort of components and has a distinct unchanging (barring some other mechanic) number of of uses per day (possibly constant or at will). The effect refers back to a spell to give mechanics for use, but that is all they have in common with spells, a reference to a description and mechanics to save on word count.
Casting a spell is apparently very different from casting a SLA both in stated mechanics and explanations given since, even though we use the term 'casting.' Maybe they should have used the wording 'using a SLA' instead of 'casting a SLA' and that would have set the tone for things and cut down on possible confusion.
An SLA is NOT a spell. It just behaves as spell for "most" purposes, such as SR and concentration checks.