5 SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY…
THAT ACTUALLY SHOW YOU LACK IT
October 19th, 2019
I’m not claiming to be ‘mature’. I don’t understand the issue entirely.
Here are 5 signs that pass for spiritual maturity, NOT REALLY!!
1 - PRIDE IN HOW MUCH BIBLE YOU KNOW
Paul points out that, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Some Christians strut their biblical knowledge. That’s so wrong.
2 - TRUTH WITHOUT GRACE or GRACE WITHOUT TRUTH
In a similar vein, being all about truth is a problem as well.
So too is being ALL ABOUT GRACE!!
I love how John (Yochanan) characterized the arrival of Messiah, He came with TRUTH & GRACE!!
He never separated THESE 2 - Truth and Grace!! WORD AND MERCY!!
All GRACE??
Or All TRUTH??
3 - Faithfully going to church doesn’t automatically make you a mature Christian.
Keeping the Commandments doesn’t make you mature!!
Like attendance, tithing, being self-righteous. Don’t compare yourself with others!
2 Corithians 10:12 For we do not presume to compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
4. Spiritually immature Christians are gullible to strange doctrines, are self- centered, cry-babies, impatient, helpless, noisy, easily offended and rebellious.
God gives us pastors and teachers to build us up so “we may no longer be children, tossed to & fro by the waves, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians. 4:14)
But the truth of the matter, many Christians, are always looking for more teaching, more doctrine, more entertainment in their belief.
What would happen if we started talking about church sins like gossip, gluttony, division and faction with the same conviction we use to talk about sexual sin?
5 - TELLING PEOPLE YOU’RE MATURE; But Spiritually immature Christians are controlled by their fleshly impulses.
This one mystifies me. Always needing to be recognized!
I’ve had more than a few people pull me aside over the years and ask “So what do you do for spiritually mature people like me?”
Stand back while people like you part the Red Sea I guess.
Telling or acting like you’re mature is like telling people you’re wise…it’s kind of proof you’re not.
The “WORKS OF THE FLESH” was written to believers! Gal 5:19-21
The most mature people, in my view, also tend to be the most humble.
If you’re proud of your Spiritual maturity, then perhaps you need a Spiritual Mirror!!
Let’s look at some areas of Spiritual Maturity
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.”
Spiritual Maturity - A Definition - Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Yeshua as Master and Savior. IT IS A CHOICE TO PRESS ON!! TO OVERCOME!! TO HUMBLE THYSELF!!
Paul said spiritual growth is an ongoing process, toward the prize.
Christian maturity ALLOWS YOU to make a choice to learn God's Word, His Voice, renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn, as He writes IT ON YOUR HEART!
Hebrews 6:1-2, 3 Therefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Messiah, let us go on to perfection,1 not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of belief toward Elohim, of the teaching of immersions, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of everlasting judgment. God willing, this is what we will do.
Spiritual Maturity - Accomplishing Growth
What are the marks of spiritual maturity?
My sheep know my voice”. John 10:27 Trained, Hindsight!
Spiritual maturity is learning how to walk in obedience to God’s Word and Voice!!
Live by God's viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint.
The key, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galations 5:16)
Learn and asked to be weaned from immaturity, the MILK!!!!!
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Blessed are those that Hunger & Thirst for His Righteousness!
In order to experience spiritual maturity, you must also understand that growth comes by OBEDIENCE AND GRACE!!
DON’T WORRY!! And it is God alone who is your resource.
YOU CAN DO IT!! HE HAS GIVEN YOU ALL YOU NEED!!
2 Peter 1:3-9 reminds you that God is the source. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great & precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature & escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; & to goodness, knowledge; & to knowledge, self-control; & to self-control, perseverance; & to perseverance, godliness; & to godliness, brotherly kindness; & to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective & unproductive in your knowledge of our Messiah, Yeshua. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted, blind & has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.“
ARE YOU READY?? THEN COME, TELL MESSIAH ALL ABOUT IT!
Subscribe to Our Podcast