Spiritual Growth

What is spiritual growth?

I recall the story of a baby I met during an outreach. She was two years old. I expected that a 2-year-old would be talking, walking, and eating independently at least, but this girl could not do any of these things. Perhaps I expected so much from the girl, even though her parents kept saying she’s just a baby girl. I saw more to her than being a baby girl.

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This is the way Jesus looks down from heaven, and he’s sad because we, his children, are like this 2-year-old.

What is Spiritual Growth? 

Spiritual growth is a process of knowing God more and having the ability to apply the wisdom of his word to our everyday lives. It is becoming more like Christ.

This made me remember the parable of the sower that Jesus narrated to his disciples; we can find it in the book of Matthew 13:1–23. Verse 8 of that scripture reads thus:

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (NIV)

While the sower was going, he stepped on different kinds of soil, but the Bible made us know what kind of soil actually grew the crop.

Matthew 13:23: But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. (NIV) 

How do we grow spiritually?

Just as physical growth is in stages, spiritual growth is a process. When we give birth to a baby, we wait for the normal time of sitting and walking before teaching the baby to sit or walk. The same thing happens in the spiritual realm. No one wakes up and finds himself spiritually mature; it takes faith, patience, and time. Here are some steps to order your process:

Daily Fellowship with God

1 John 1:3- We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (KJV)

By faith in Jesus, we gained access to God, meaning that we can talk to God by ourselves. We also have the grace to partake of the blessings that Christ promised to everyone who believes in Him (especially the gift of the Holy Spirit).

Fellowship with the brethren

Col 3:16- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Imagine we have a bunch of wood burning, and suddenly one is pulled out and kept separate. I tell you, within one hour, it would lose its flame. It is like that with spiritual growth too; once you stop fellowshipping with brethren, you start getting tired until you eventually stop desiring it. This is another scripture to confirm this 

Hebrews 10:25: not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching. (NIV)

Discipleship

Matthew 16:24

“Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

True discipleship means total submission. Looking at the disciples of Jesus, they left all that they were to become who he wanted them to be. They submitted to his authority. So also we should learn to take on that act and yield to our master’s calling. God can lead you to a spiritual leader; submit and obey.

Discipleship involves serving others, reflecting the heart of Jesus.

Eliminate Weeds

Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Weeds are anything that prevents us from having concrete fellowship with God. We are advised to do away with them be it ungodly friendship, extravagant lifestyle, indiscipline and sins that cut us from his presence.

Concluding Prayers 

The conclusion of my message is that you know God and know Him for yourself. 

A prayer from Apostle Paul.

Colossians 1:10-11

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Amen 🙏🏻

Engage and Share 

If this message blessed you, kindly click on the share button and share to your loved ones. 

We are waiting to hear from you in the comments. Let’s know what you learnt and how you have been dealing with growing spiritually. 

Your sister, 

Akinboyo Oyindamola 

The Purpose-driven lady.