As we start the beginning of a new year, many of us usually take time out for introspection. We usually desire to make changes in our lives. We desire to turn a new page, so to speak. We want to become better persons. One of the areas we often seem to neglect, however, is our spiritual well-being. So, we need to place more emphasis on it. We need to ask ourselves, individually, how am I on a spiritual level? Am I growing spiritually? Am I spiritually fit? How can I tell?
You see, because we oftentimes neglect our spiritual being, many of us seem to lack spiritual maturity. Too many of us are immature in the things concerning our spiritual welfare. You see, in order for us to face and overcome the problems that take place within and without us, we need to grow spiritually. Just as it is important for us to take care of our physical bodies, it is also vitally important to take care of our spiritual beings. One day the physical body will perish. It will be no more, but our spiritual beings will live forever.
Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more mature in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Someone who is growing spiritually will become more and more like Christ. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that the spiritually mature will be able to “distinguish good from evil”. Spiritual growth begins the moment a person comes to faith in Christ and should continue until a person enters Christ’s presence after this life.
Scripture offers valuable insights into how a person can grow spiritually. 2 Peter 1:3 and Ephesians 3:20 tell us, that it is Christ’s power in the believer that gives us the ability to grow spiritually. As we rely on God’s power, and follow His teachings, we can develop greater maturity. Are you willing to let God grow you spiritually? Peter provides a peek at the process. In 2 Peter 1:5-8 it states: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
To evaluate spiritual growth, we can measure our improvement in the “fruit of the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23 states, the Spirit desires to produce these qualities in us: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” Are you increasing in any of them? To grow spiritually, we should be aware that growth often comes through trials. Just as physical strength is built through exertion and straining against resistance, spiritual strength is developed in the hard times of life. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain”.
James gives us encouragement in James 1:2-4. It states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Because growth comes through trials, Scripture also teaches we are not to grow weary in the process. Much spiritual development is the result of persistence. You see, it is God’s will that we grow to be more like Jesus. We also have the promise that the Lord Himself will oversee our growth and bring us to maturity. Philippians 1:6 states, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.
My friends, we must have the desire to grow. We will never grow unless we want to grow. Just as we have to work hard by exercising to maintain our physical body, we must maintain this desire to continue to grow spiritually as well. You see, some people who once wanted to grow, have lost that desire. They may start off on fire for the Lord, but lose their zeal. They develop a spirit of indifference or negligence. Others also develop a level of maturity and stagnate. They become satisfied, thinking no more growth is needed, but the Scriptures teach that growth is always needed.
Philippians 3:12-14 states, that even Paul, as mature as he was, did not consider himself to have achieved perfection (maturity) such that he could cease striving to improve. He forgot past achievements (and failures) and pressed on to greater accomplishments. My friends, we need to be very careful. In Matthew 26:31-35, Peter thought he had reached a level where he would never deny Jesus. But that very night he denied Jesus three times.
1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us. It states, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls.” We never reach the point we are so mature that we cannot fall. One of the main reasons we do not grow is that we do not see the need for growing. We have no desire to work and serve to the full extent of our abilities. When people develop a burning hunger and thirst to work for the Lord, then they will develop the other steps they need to grow. Growth requires exercise as well as nourishment. Therefore, exercise and practice are essential for spiritual growth as well.
Do you have that burning desire to accomplish more for the Lord? Have you set specific goals of work you want to accomplish for God, improvements to make, new levels to reach? Here are some things you can do to help you grow spiritually:
1. Read the Bible daily: Take time out each day to read and study God’s Word. It provides food for the soul. It nourishes the spirit. Make sure you regularly share with others what you are learning. If there are character traits you know you need to work on, consider an in-depth study of some or all of the fruits of the spirit.
2. Engage with Your Faith: Attend religious services. Find a church or other religious centre that shares your beliefs. If you already belong to a congregation, renew your engagement with it. Volunteer your time, join a group and connect with other members of the congregation as well as with the wider community.
3. Pray: Let your spiritual practice involve prayer. Focus on improving the quality of your prayer life. When you pray, do not let your mind wander. Focus on the words you are saying. If you notice your mind wandering, remind yourself what your intentions are and resume with a renewed sense of purpose.
4. Practice Gratitude: Thank God and those who help you. Take note of the good things others do for you. Be grateful, and express your gratitude to God and to them. Thank people sincerely when they do something for you. Explain how their actions have benefited you.
Remember: The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life – mentally, emotionally, physically, as well as spiritually. Life is growth.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 2. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
