Do you remember when you were a child and couldn’t wait to grow up? Most of us didn’t realize that we would experience the growing pains of disappointment and tough times as we grew and matured. This applies to our spiritual growth as well as our physical growth. Part of being a Christian is facing head on the painful challenges that come with growing spiritually.
Compared to our bodies automatically growing over time, spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s intentional. Growth starts when we stop displacing responsibility like Adam and Eve did when they sinned and take ownership of our part in cooperating with God’s plan. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). We’re instructed to lovingly express truth in all things, speak truly, live truly, and deal truly with others.
We can’t coast through life waiting for heaven; we’re called to evolve and renew our minds daily. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Renewing our minds means exchanging our thoughts and attitudes for God’s, gradually and little by little. What He asks of us isn’t just a Sunday scripture but an entire lifestyle. When fear or wrong thinking try to define us, we locate ourselves and yield those weaknesses to God so His strength can show up in our lives.
Spiritual growth means embracing wholeness. Before we link up with anyone else, God wants us whole in spirit, soul, and body. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). If we’re not careful, we’ll let insecurities and inferiorities instead of God’s Word shape our identity. However, we’ve been made fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. This is our reality, and we must take responsibility for living it out.
We also grow by understanding our access to God. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We don’t timidly tiptoe with fear or reservation but come fearlessly and confidently because Jesus made the way. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). This access is a privilege we’re to use daily.
Spiritual growth happens when we exercise the privileges God gave us when we got born again. “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name” (John 1:12, AMPC). Growth begins in our thoughts before it shows up in our actions, which is why learning to think differently is so critical. When we’re struggling with something, we can go to our heavenly Father honestly and say, “Lord, help me change my thinking.” This involves moving out of our comfort zone.
Spiritual growth is a lifelong process. We’re living stones, constantly under construction every day. We eventually reach the point where we stop blaming, stop complaining, and start following the Holy Spirit’s lead. When we do, we experience elevation and promotion, moving from fear to faith and from stagnation to progress.
