One of the things I realized as a teenager was that if I am a Christian, I should be growing spiritually. That realization led to a lifelong desire and pursuit to grow. I have grown, I have regressed, and I have learned that growing in my faith is absolutely crucial.
Many people think that they are truly growing if they know enough biblical facts, go to church enough, and are moved in worship. Those things are good and needed, but growing in your faith is far deeper than that.
Spiritual growth is a process.
Spiritual growth is allowing God to change your actions, beliefs, relationships, and character. And it is a lifelong pursuit.
Paul told is in Philippians 1:6 that “he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We may throw monkey-wrenches into the process, but God is always ready to help you get back on track.
So, let’s look a little deeper at what spiritual growth is…
Spiritual growth begins with a new life
Spiritual growth doesn’t begin with self-help, self-improvement, or trying harder. It begins when you experience new life in Jesus or what He called being “born again.” And you don’t do that.
Every Christian is saved by the grace of God. It is a gift to us. None of us can make ourselves good enough to deserve it.
Everything begins with Jesus.
And that includes spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth relies on the Bible and prayer
God intends for the Bible to teach us, reproof us, correct us, and train us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is through the Bible that we learn about who God is, what Jesus did, and how we are supposed to live.
Prayer is communication with God. It is how we confess sin, give Him thanks, make requests, and more. It also enables the Holy Spirit to speak to us.
We cannot thrive with the Bible and prayer.
We also cannot grow spiritually without it.
Spiritual growth leads to Jesus’ character
When you grow spiritually, you change. You begin to resemble Jesus more and more. It can be seen in how you speak, how you deal with others and troubles, and the decisions you make.
In other words, your character becomes more like His character.
The Bible refers to the characteristics that we should have as fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says that they are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” They grow in us as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and shape us.
Spiritual growth changes us.
Spiritual growth requires obedience and repentance
One of the reasons that we need to grow spiritually is because our old sinful nature keeps rearing its ugly head. We must regularly get back in line through repentance. That means that we must own up to our sin, admit that we need God’s forgiveness, and turn away from it. It is not about feeling sorry, it’s about a continued determination to be right with God.
Getting right with God naturally leads to obedience. As we love Him more and more, we will want to obey. In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
If we allow sin to go unchecked, if we refuse to obey, we will not grow spiritually.
Spiritual growth happens in community
Many people believe that their faith is a private thing. Unfortunately, that is completely false.
Our faith is to be lived out publicly. And our faith is to be shared in Christian community.
There are not Lone Ranger Christians.
We need other Christians, and others need us. We need to help each other, support each other, encourage each other, and warn each other when needed. Hebrews 10:24-25 clearly states that we must not neglect gathering with other Christians and help each other instead.
Family is there for one another.
Remember, spiritual growth is a process. It rarely is fast and dramatic just like physical growth. It is gradual just like physical growth.
The good news is that God is patient. God is faithful. God wants to work in you until the day you meet Him face to face.
Books by Dr. Jay Cook:
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