How can we grow in spiritual maturity?
Ephesians 4:13 says that the Lord wants us to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Let me share 5 biblical things that will help us grow in spiritual maturity.
1. It takes new life. You can’t grow in the physical realm if you aren’t alive. In the spiritual realm this is equally true. In John 3:3 Jesus said, “Unless you’re born again, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” If you take a plant and add fertilizer, rain, and sunlight, it will grow. But if you take a rock, put it in the ground and add fertilizer, water, and sunlight, it won’t grow. It doesn’t matter how much water and sunlight you add, it won’t grow because it doesn’t have in it the seed of life. It’s the same with us. We need the seed of God’s life in us in order to grow. Once we are born again by receiving Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we begin to grow.
2. It takes time. There is no such thing as instant maturity. Vegetables take weeks/month to mature. Trees take years to mature. Oak trees can take 30-50 years to mature. Interestingly the Bible uses the image of a tree to describe a mature believer in Psalm 1:3 – “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”
3. It takes nourishment. In normal conditions, if a child is given the proper nourishment, they will grow. Similarly, we will grow if we receive regular nourishment from the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” One of the reasons why some people never grow to spiritual maturity is that they don’t feed on God’s Word regularly. Or, they just get fed once a week at church, and they don’t take time to read and study the Scriptures themselves daily.
4. It takes rest. We have all experienced feeling better after a good night’s sleep. If we are constantly running from one thing to the next ,seven days a week, and not taking time to rest, it will affect our physical health negatively. In the same way, one of the secrets to growing spiritually is learning to operate out of an attitude of rest and dependence on God. To say to God, “I need you today. I can’t do this on my own. I need your strength and power.” The apostle Paul learned this. He apparently lived with something he called his “thorn in the flesh.” It may have been a physical ailment. Or, it could be a reference to the opposition and persecution from others. Either way, he pleaded for God to take it away from him, several times in fact. But God said: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” God loves taking weak people and making them spiritually strong. Weakness is an opportunity to rest in God by looking to him for strength and help. That’s what it means to rest in him. We won’t grow unless we first learn to rest.
5. It takes exercise. One crucial way to improve our physical health is through regular exercise. What exercise does for your physical health, serving does for your spiritual health. Finding an area of ministry and get involved. That’s what serving is.
If you sense that your spiritual life is stagnant, ask the Lord to show you which of the 5 areas needs attention today. God wants you to grow in spiritual maturity throughout your Christian life. But unless these 5 ingredients are present, our growth will be stunted.
