Embracing Spiritual Maturity

“Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4  (NIV)

spiritual maturityFulfilling the call of God on your life will require spiritual maturity.  The Bible offers us many wonderful examples where God led His child through situations to teach them, and bring them to a more spiritual mature place.  It was necessary in order to prepare them for the work they had before them.

Let’s look at Solomon and what he had to go through to prepare to build the house of the Lord.

King David wanted to build the House of the Lord, but God told him that Solomon would be the one who would build the House. Even though David was probably disappointed, he began helping Solomon prepare himself for the task. In 1 Chronicles 29:1 David said, “Solomon is yet young and tinder” (inexperienced), in other words he had not matured yet.  King David knew Solomon was inexperience and would need to mature in order to accomplish the call on his life.

We live in a world of immaturity. We live in a time when the adults have more toys than the children and most people don’t want to grow up. The first step to spiritual maturity comes as the worldly desires are put aside and the work of the kingdom becomes a priority.

Another step to maturity is learning patience. We learn patience as we go through difficult situations that give experience. According to Romans 5:3-4, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

It takes tribulation to work patience in us. Tribulation develops patience and patience produces experience.  We gain patience as we face times of tribulation. This strengthens our faith. So we are to embrace tribulation as a time to grow and mature.

Experience comes as we learn to go through difficult times. Many people will view hard times or times of tribulation as an attack of the enemy instead of learning from the difficulty.  You will actually know if you are maturing by how you handle a difficult time. The experience in times of tribulation gives wisdom and wisdom brings maturity.

A Sure Sign of Maturity

“…When he (Moses) had grown to maturity…” Hebrews 11:24

spiritual maturityThere is a day in all of our lives when we come to a crossroad.  We make a choice that signifies we have come into maturity.

The day that Moses embraced his true identity – who God said he was, is the day he reached full maturity.  Something changed and he would never go back again because after that day, he refused to be called “the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”  That was his earthly identity, and even though it had many benefits, he refused to have the enjoyment of the sinful life as “the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

When Moses left the lifestyle of Egypt, he didn’t look back or even flinch.  He held on to the purpose that God had for his life and moved forward.  A sure sign of spiritual maturity is laying aside any pleasures of your earthly life that will hinder you from moving towards God’s calling.  Like Moses, we must set our face towards our own promised land, and move towards it with a steadfast, unmovable, unshakable determination.

I remember when my husband and I left our home, family and friends to go back to school to complete our education and prepare for ministry.  It was so hard to leave family and friends.  I still remember hearing the still small voice of the Lord, “Don’t look back, no, don’t look back at that either.”

This was my daily admonishing from the Lord.   It really took me a long time to grow up and show signs of maturity.   Once I settled into the truth that I was no longer a daughter of my earthly father, but that I had become a daughter of my Heavenly Father, the struggle was soon over and I didn’t look back anymore.  Settle in your heart your true identity; then, God’s purpose for your life will soon be revealed.

Are You Spiritually Immature?

There are many church pews filled with Spiritually Immature people.  They go to Church, but fail to really grow in their Spiritually Maturity.

Fulfilling the call of God on your life will require spiritual maturity.  We can look at Solomon and what he had to go through to prepare to build the house of the Lord.  King David wanted to build the House of the Lord, but God told him that Solomon would be the one who would build the House.  Even though David was probably disappointed, he began helping Solomon prepare himself for the task.  In 1 Chronicles 29:1 David said, “Solomon is yet young and tinder” (inexperienced), in other words he had not matured yet.  King David knew Solomon was inexperience and would need to mature in order to accomplish the call on his life.

We live in a world of immaturity.  We live in a time when the adults have more toys than the children and most people don’t want to grow up.  The first step to spiritual maturity comes as the worldly desires are put aside and the work of the kingdom becomes a priority.

Another part of maturity is learning patience.  We learn patients as we go through difficult situations that give experience.  According to Romans 5:3-4, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

It takes tribulation to work patience in us.  Tribulation develops patience and patience produces experience.

We gain patience as we face times of tribulation.  This strengthens our faith.  So we are to embrace tribulation as a time to grow and mature. You will actually know if you are maturing by how you handle a difficult time.

 Experience also comes as we learn to go through difficult times.  Many people will view hard times or times of tribulation as an attack of the enemy instead of learning from the difficulty.  The experience gives wisdom and the wisdom brings maturity.

Wisdom from Solomon

We will gain wisdom when we receive discipline and correction properly.  Discipline is a major part of the maturing process, so do not avoid or despise it.

Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord: neither be weary of His correction.” We get understanding when we go through correction and chastening. We understand the consequences of our bad choices. Understanding gives you the wisdom to be able to make a better choice. The problem is we all want wisdom but no one wants to be reproved and learn from their mistakes. Everyone wants to hear a prophetic word that will encourage them. But without reproof we will stay immature. When we are reproved is when we gain understanding.

Proverbs 29:15 says, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, a child left to him brings a mother to shame.” A child who is not reproved will not grow up, they become selfish and immature.

 Proverbs 13:24 says, “He that spares the rod hateth his son.” A child will actually mature through proper disciplining. All discipline should be accompanied by instruction so there is an opportunity to learn a lesson from the discipline. Proper discipline robes a child in righteousness but harsh discipline robes a child in guilt and shame.

Proverbs 15:32 says, “He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that heareth reproof gets understanding.”

Many people do not understand how important disciplines are in their life. To be a disciple means: you have learned to be disciplined. The lack of spiritual maturity and discipline can hold you back from a calling God has on your life. So learn how to embrace discipline from the Lord as part of your spiritual maturing process.