Maturity

James 1:4
To become perfect and mature (entire), lacking nothing, we must have patience.

Spiritual growth does take time!!..

It Is normal and expected for immature Christians to display adolescent behavior, based on the stages of spiritual development.

However; Spiritual stunting can be avoided.It is an interruption of spiritual growth, due to spiritual malnutrition!! We must feed the holy spirit that resIdes wIthIn us!

Some new-born Christians want to know everything and do everything right away. They may not be willing to take the time to study, havIng patIence as God develops through trials, etc.

Remember that people who may be mature today, did not get that way overnight. It took years of nourishment (Feeding on God’s Word, attending church, etc)

** A mature Christian will have an ABUNDANCE of fruit and no longer lives to please his/herself or anyone else.. theIr maIn concern Is to please the Lord! They are not sinless, but follow God at any cost! Bad things did not stop happening in their lives, but their response to trials makes it seem as if bad things did stop!

What is spiritual FRUIT?
Galatians 5:22 to 26- But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Let us not be carnal, conceited, competitive, irritating one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

Maturity- Ephesians 4:14-15- Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be so easily influenced when people try to trick us with lies. Instead we will speak the truth and grow more and more christlike.

*But remember no one is exempt from taking the bait of Satan, no matter who you are or how long you have walked with Jesus! But the mature will learn from it, repent and move forward more powerful than before! Thanking God for allowing the suffering that strengthened them!!

Hebrew 6:1- So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

** Everyone needs nourishment to grow!! Just as a child cannot grow without the proper food, likewise a Christian cannot grow without regular nourishment from God’s word. If you have been walking with God for some time... and feel like you should be further along than you are... Maybe you are lacking nourishment.. so EAT!!

Find a way to get God’s Word in. Talk to God daily (pray), do not miss church, read your bible (If you do not like to read, let your iphone read the bible to you), or watch videos of services online. Get your spiritual food in somehow so you can grow into the person God intended you to be!!

Created 8 months ago