Spiritual Maturity

Throughout scripture, we are shown a difference between a spiritually mature believer and a spiritually immature believer. We also see that our Father God desires for all His children to grow up, to mature in spirit. 1 Peter 1:14-23 tells us that we must put away our former passions, become holy like our Father, conduct ourselves in holy fear, and purify our souls thru our obedience.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter 1:14-23 ESV

In 2 Peter 1:3-11, we are shown that we must confirm our calling and election and that we have the ability to do this through His divine power.

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 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. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3-11 ESV

There is a very important truth here in 2 Peter 1:10, it says "if you practice these qualities you will never fall." NEVER. It is important that we are in the Word daily, we do our best to live by the Word, that we share with others the truth of the Word, and through His divine power these qualities Peter speaks of will increase, so that we will develop an effective and fruitful understanding our Lord Jesus Christ. This is HUGE because Peter then goes on to say in 2 Peter 1:11 “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Not many people understand that even after being 'saved', one can choose to walk away from following Jesus and in doing so, one is no longer promised eternal life with him.

For More information look at: Salvation & Repentance, Obedience and Grace

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14 ESV

We see in scripture, Col 1:10, we must do our best to present ourselves as ones approved by God and we must walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. We must bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God, becoming more mature in spirit. So, how do we do this? We look to see how Jesus did it and follow in his footsteps.

How we become Spiritually Mature

We need to look at Jesus to learn obedience as a child of God. Obedience to God cultivates spiritual maturity. Obedience produces the kind of fruit God is looking for in each of us.

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Hebrews 5:7-6:2 ESV

There is so much in these verses that we could focus on. For now, our focus will be how Jesus became perfect and the importance of becoming spiritually mature. We see in Matthew 5:48 that we must also be perfect.

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 ESV

We need to take part in the spiritual maturing process like Jesus did. We see in Hebrews 5:14, those that are spiritually mature have learned to develop their divine power of discernment thru the constant practice of distinguishing good from evil. We learn how to do this is by learning what God considers good and evil. The way to do this is to learn what the scriptures say. Then Holy Spirit will help us navigate every situation. We also see in Hebrews 5:7-9, that Jesus was heard by God because of his reverence, Jesus learned obedience though suffering and through suffering, he was made perfect. The way God teaches us is the same way He taught Jesus. He presents tests as we walk through life. These tests allow us to learn how to navigate the world, how to live like Jesus lived in the world. We are always presented with two choices: the choice that will be pleasing to Him and the choice that is sin. Because we are often so accustomed to the sinful choice, what we see in culture or in ingrained incorrect beliefs, we may not know what is pleasing to Him. When we come to a situation like this we need to look at what James says.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 NIV

The book of James also teaches us how we are supposed to think when going into a trial. Instead of worrying and fretting over trials, we are supposed to consider them joyful because they are for our spiritual growth.

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV

If we go into every trial knowing the purpose of the trial is to expose our weaknesses, then it will allow God to grow us into spiritual maturity, and that is what we can count as joy.

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV

James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 4:12-14 show us that suffering is not a bad thing, it is not to be feared. These scriptures tell us that we should actually rejoice in it and view it as an opportunity of spiritual growth. It can be used to mature us and suffering gives us the opportunity to take part of what Jesus did for us.

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV

Measuring our Spiritual Maturity

So how does all this go together? When we come to a trial, it tests us. It shows us how we handle things in life. The goal God has for us is to handle every test the way Jesus would handle them. The way we handle each test determines if it is a test anymore. Example: Kindergarten children learn numbers, but by time they go to first grade they should be learning how to add numbers. If the child has already learned numbers, numbers are no longer difficult. Therefore, reciting numbers is no longer a test. Since it is not hard to recite their numbers, they do not struggle in that area and they have conquered those lessons. It is the same with us as we mature spiritually.

It’s also similar to taking a test in school over material we should be learning. These tests show us what material we have actually learned and what material we still struggle with in our lives.

Jesus says you know the tree by its fruit. The fruit is what comes out of us when we are put into a test or trial.

43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:43-45 ESV

In Luke 6:43-45, we see that a tree is known by its fruit. This means a person is known by what kind of fruit it produces. Is it the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of sin? A trial shows us what kind of tree we are. We can see this fruit when we are in a trial. Example: When we come across a person that is hard to love in life, that person shows us what type of fruit is really in us. Do we recoil from that person, lash out at that person or do we ask God how to love this person his way and allow him to work his perfect love through us? This simple test shows us how we are spiritually maturing.

The goal God has for us is to become spiritually mature by producing the fruit of the Spirit, so we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh. Let's look at the fruit we are supposed to be producing, if we are a good tree living in Him.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

patience,

kindness,

goodness,

faithfulness,

gentleness,

self-control;

against such things there is no law.

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:16-26 ESV

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is the fruit we should be producing in every area in our lives and all situations we find ourselves in. This fruit tells us what kind of tree we are. When we are tested in a trial and produce this fruit during the trial, it is pleasing to God. It also shows us how we are growing in our own spiritually maturity. This fruit will never produce pride, it will produce more humility. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, when manifested in our lives, creates in us the ability to be conquerors. Conquerors over sin and darkness. We cannot practice sin and walk in the Spirit at the same time, it is either one or the other.

We also need to look at Gods description of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient

and kind;

love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant

or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful;

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV

The way we pursue developing this fruit is by following the 2 great commandments in Matthew 22:36-40.

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:36-40 ESV

We are to strive to live these commandments out in every area of our lives. It is a part of the journey towards spiritual maturity, and along this journey, we will be tested. The testing will expose the fruit that is within us. When that fruit is revealed, if it is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we then need to humbly seek God's help, asking for His wisdom. This will allow Him to lovingly work in our lives in order to produce the kind of spiritual fruit He requires us to produce. As we go through this testing process, over and over, and if we embrace His changes, He will refine us. This will create a spiritual maturity in us. When we allow Him to change us we will be living in His Spirit.

Kicking out lies (The challenge)

There are some lies in the body of Christ that people might not even realize they believe.

Here are 4 common lies about spiritual maturity:

God doesn't require or expect us to mature spiritually.
A theological education guarantees one is spiritual maturity.
Anyone holding a leadership position in a church is spiritually mature.
Only spiritually mature people can perform Biblical works.

The first one I want to expose is the fact that some believers don’t believe they have to mature spiritually in God. They think all they need to do is just believe and profess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they are saved. The problem with that teaching is that is not what scripture says. As we go through the scriptures, we will see God takes His children's maturing process very seriously. He takes our spiritual growth so serious, that He actually tells us in scripture He disciplines those He loves.

To see more on discipline check out: God Disciplines His Children.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Hebrews 12:3-8 ESV

This is a good thing. Even though our culture is against discipline, God is not. We should expect Him to discipline us. If you don’t feel He is disciplining you, I would suggest seeking Him to search your heart.

There is also the lie that you or someone is spiritually mature just because one has gone to Bible college to learn theology. This does not make someone spiritually mature in their walk with God. Those that are highly educated in theology may have knowledge in their heads, they may be eloquent speakers of scripture, yet if they do not produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit they are not mature believers and may not be genuine Jesus followers. The fruit of the Spirit is how we know we are living and growing in Him.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Matthew 7:15-20 ESV

There are also lies that if you are in a leadership position then you are spiritually mature. This should be the case. The problem is we are not seeing leadership in corporate churches follow scriptures when putting leaders into positions. If leaders are put into positions, but not put through Gods scriptural testing process, then we cannot believe that they are spiritually mature believers. It is important that we don’t follow people who are not following scripture just because they are put in authority positions. This does not mean we disrespect them. It means we need to present truth to them. God’s word tells us how to navigate these situations. First and second Corinthians gives us a lot of insight into these kinds of situations.

Another line of belief is that when people are doing a lot of works such as, prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles that those works show they are spiritually mature. Once again, this is not true, Jesus addresses this clearly in Matthew 7:21-23.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

In Matthew 7:24-27 he tells us what kind of foundation we must be built on. It is not the foundation of being a lazy child, the knowledge of theology, being in a leadership position, or having the works flow though you. The foundation we are built on must be learning Biblical scripture and we must practice obeying that scripture.

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

If you believe any of these lies, I beg you to examine scriptures and evaluate these beliefs. A good book to start with is 1 John.