Spiritual growth is knowing the same thing you heard that brought you to salvation in depth. It is built on the information about the new birth and not experiences, trance, angels, encounters but insight on our new identity which is the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The fundamental ingredient of growth is first identifying who you are, spiritual growth is not a set of rules and regulations, but the meal of spiritual growth is the doctrine of Christ and that is our identity which is why a believer who is not properly taught cannot grow (outside the revealed word).
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
9 but just as it is written [in Scripture],
“Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”
10 For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].
Revelation is an information from the spirit to the mind, in order words when it comes from outside it is called education. The information that will cause you growth in this walk will not be from the outside, the spirit communicates those things to the sense, and it’s called Revelation which does not just renew the mind, but the mind is renewed by the spirit in the word.
Ephesians 4:13-14
13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
There can never be growth outside Christ because we are to grow in-Christ, so…
Colossians 2:10
10 And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power].
Spiritual growth is deliberate, it is never an unconscious activity, it is something you will intentionally desire for you and by you, Apostle Peter said “…you have to desire the sincere milk of the spirit…”
Growing spiritual is not a phase in our walk with Christ, it is a lifetime pursuit, and it is the knowledge of God’s word working in your life, causing growth in grace, His wisdom and proper conduct. we study and are being taught the word with the intent of continual growth, therefore it cannot be a means to an end but the very end itself.
Attitudes that can never help you grow.
1.When you despise teachings/teachers.
2.Jumping from one teacher to another, you will get contaminated by that, stay with one sound teacher, stop the “itching ear syndrome” in order not to get confused.
3.When you don’t attempt to practice/walk in what you’ve learnt, you can never grow because it ceases to be of value to you.
4.Being in the wrong local assembly or having the wrong teacher.
5.Listening to messages that are not centered on Christ.
We have to understand that the word does not go to our spirit, it goes to our mind to change the conduct and makes the word of God visible in the quality of life we live. Our growth will remain in the influence of God’s word over our life enabling us serve God amongst men, which is the sole essence of growth – ministry, to serve the purpose of God amongst men.
There is no spiritual growth in isolation, we grow in the midst of people where our character is being tested and our growth in Christ is being exercised in interactions.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
We are not becoming these things in the above verse, we already are when we came into Christ, whether we choose to acknowledge it by walking in it or not. It is required of us to show forth who we are.
Spiritual growth does not improve you but reveals you, this will sound funny but everyone who has received Christ are all the same state in the spirit, the difference between the one growing and the one not growing is one is being shown forth for men to benefit and the other is not.
Growth is a deliberate act of your will and must be desired by you. You desire to grow by your own initiative.
You are unstoppable!
Love X Uju.
