SPIRITUAL GROWTH
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
1 Corinthians 13:9,11 (NKJV)
Every human being was born a baby and then grow into adulthood. No one grows from childhood to adulthood in a day.
As it is in the physical growth, so it is in the spiritual growth.
Thinking, understanding and speaking of a child cannot be compared with that of an adult.
When someone newly give his or her life to Christ, the understanding of such about spiritual things would be limited and shallow, thus a need for spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 2:6).
God wants every believer to outgrow childishness—childish attributes.
Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians said he could not speak to them as to spiritual people, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).
Being carnal is being childish—spiritual childishness.
God would take a believer, who allows Him, through the School of the Spirit, step by step, for proper growth (Isaiah 28:9,10).
Growth is a process and it needs the cooperation, yielding of an individual believer to the Holy Spirit.
Growth does not occur by impartation, laying on of hands, but rather by feeding on the Word of God—eating spiritual food that would nourish your soul for proper growth (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14).
• Spiritual growth occurs when a believer has passion and desire to know the truth, that is, the Word of God, and to practice it (John 8:32).
• Spiritual growth is not accidental, you have to work at it (Colossians 2:6,7)
• It takes discipline to subdue the flesh, because it would not want you to do the things of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,17,24; Hebrews 12:4).
What it means to grow is to have understanding of spiritual things; you have understanding of God and become mature in your walk with Him.
Childishness permeates the life of a number of believers, because their understanding is shallow. One can readily see Childishness in their speaking, ways of thinking and understanding.
Without proper growth a believer cannot receive the best of the kingdom.
Benefits of spiritual growth
I. When you grow spiritually, you will no longer be a child that is tossed to and fro by strange doctrine: “THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE TRICKERY OF MEN, IN THE CUNNING CRAFTINESS OF DECEITFUL PLOTTING” (Ephesians 4:14 NKJV).
Most of the Christians who are victims of false prophets or teachers are the ones who refused to grow in their walk with God; they learn but could not come to the knowledge of the truth. In other words, it is not that they do not have access to know the truth, but they refused the truth, wanting to gratify the flesh: “ALWAYS LEARNING AND NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH" (2 Timothy 3:7 NKJV).
II. Another benefit of spiritual growth is that your intimacy with God is enhanced, it becomes deeper– you become God’s confidant (John 15:15; James 2:23).
17 AND THE LORD SAID, “SHALL I HIDE FROM ABRAHAM WHAT I AM DOING,
18 "SINCE ABRAHAM SHALL SURELY BECOME A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION, AND ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM?”
Genesis 18:17,18 (NKJV)
III. In addition, when you grow spiritually, you bear fruit, you become an instrument in the hand of God to raise other believers to maturity (John 15:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:3-5).
Pay attention to your spiritual growth:
• Give attention to reading, studying and meditation, that is, pondering on the Word (Joshua 1:8).
• Pray more in the language of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2; Jude 20) and be prompt in obeying God through the leading of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you (Romans 8:14); these will sharpen your perception and ability to discern (Acts 27:10).
• Practice the Word of God that you know, that is, live your life in line with God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:22-25).
6 AS YOU THEREFORE HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM,
7 ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM AND ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH, AS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, ABOUNDING IN IT WITH THANKSGIVING.”
Colossians 2:6,7 (NKJV)
• And do not lean on your own understanding, always acknowledge God in all you do (Proverbs 3:5,6).
As you walk in the light of what has been shared in this piece, your understanding of God would increase and your growth in Him would be enhanced.
You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!