So How Spiritually Mature Are You?
Read: II Peter 1:1-11
Our journey towards Spiritual Maturity requires us to focus on those character traits which are often not viewed in their proper relevancy with regards to our spiritual growth. So how spiritually mature are you? Spiritual maturity has no bearing on our natural age. Therefore one can never assume that simply because a person have obtained a level of maturity in the natural, that they are spiritually mature. Although spiritual maturity reflects our “weightiness” in the realm of the spirit – our journey is enhanced by our actions in the physical realm. We must always remember that maturity is a process that requires us to “decrease” if we are going to “increase”.
As we seek to increase, there are three pillars from which our spiritual maturity should take its platform. Proper growth requires: Effort, Diligence and Discipline.
I view the process of advancing in our growth towards spiritual maturity as a vine which grows. When we observe plants which have been well groomed, we will notice that the gardener has taken the time, effort and the diligence to discipline and to guide the vines into the direction or pattern of intended growth.
Our actions must be as focused as those of the gardener. Spiritual maturity doesn’t just occur without us assuming our places of responsibility. God has given to us the proper tools (spiritual weapons, gifts of the spirit, etc) that will assure us that our growth will produce that fruit which will remain (fruit of the spirit). Our level of spiritual maturity is measured by the ability that we have obtained; that permits the manifestation of a “spirit governed” versus a “self-controlled” lifestyle.
Effort must be exerted by us to restrain ourselves from ingesting irrelevant motives, concepts, and principles. We must adhere to a mentality the will remain diligent and militant - as the daily onset of diabolical manifestations occur. Above all, we must establish a standard of living that requires discipline.
Therefore our decrease must prevail in whatever is not required for our individual spiritual diets. Our decrease must come in the area of those “weights” – which are not necessarily sinful acts…. but are those things which are no longer applicable to our progression.
As we advance the more along this road to spiritual maturity, we will realize that we are not as easily distracted by the occurrences of life. Impatience, repeated latenesses, constant rushing, a lack of control over our emotions, “road rage”, etc. are all some of the fruit that has been produced from a spiritually immature person.
So let’s take a step away from ourselves, and look to evaluate where we really stand. We, who know the Word, must SHOW that we have the ability to adhere it to our lives – and not just read it using to it highlight others downfalls. Remember – get the beam out of your eye first! (Matthew 7:3-5)
Then we will be able to properly advance on this journey towards spiritual maturity.
Then not only will we notice our growth – but others, especially our adversary, will not have the advantage of engaging us in acts of immaturity!
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