First we must understand what defines spiritual maturity to you. Too often, we associate spiritual maturity with how busy we are in church–how many auxiliaries are ministries we are in. Or even, how long we have been a member in the church or on the Deacon’s Board. But the truth is that there is a large segment of Christianity that have been in church a very long time–and are still not mature in their walk with Christ!

The sad truth is that there are many in the modern-day church who have not matured beyond rising up for church on Sunday and special holidays; while there are those who receive the testimony of Christ in the midst of their sin and almost instantly begin to consume the word of God, and walk that word out daily–with the single focus of growing in the knowledge of their Savior.

Think about it for a moment. Are you spiritually mature because you can remember scripture? Or are you spiritually mature when you can apply those scripture to your life–and the lives of those around you. I like to think about it this way, Christians are like fruit trees–they begin to bear fruit after they mature!

Case in point: fruit trees only bear fruit after they mature. For an apple tree, the time to mature may vary between six to ten years (for a non-dwarf apple tree which can produce fruit sooner because they mature sooner).  For a pecan tree, it can take more than ten years. For a citrus tree, it can produce after one to two years. So the answer to the implied question is that it depends on what type tree it is! The same is true for Christians.

How do we know if we are mature? Well, the real answer is measured in our response to life’s circumstances and storms. That’s when we learn whether the embrace that we have with Christ is sufficient to hold us up in the storm. As a maturing Christian, we readily see and confess our own shortcomings. We know that we have blind spots that can destroy us if we don’t keep them before the Lord in prayer. In fact, prayer is our secret weapon, and just like a soldier, we ensure that it is always ready for battle.

But at the end of the day, all that we have said is just words if they are said without the support of the Word of God. That’s why we like the following scripture from Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV:

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” 

This passage shows us the nature of a mature man. That is a man who is mature enough in what he believes that he can “stand alone” in the face of those who are in opposition to his walk with the Lord. He is not a man who is easily swayed by the things of this world. He eschews evil and he embraces the righteousness of Christ! He has a mature heart for the Word of God, and he finds delight in the things of God. And most importantly, he bears good fruit that will sustain those whom he is connected with. And by good fruit, we infer to those referenced in Galatians 5:22-23 NIV,  including “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.” And if that were not enough, whatever he does, he will prosper. That’s a good place to say “Amen!”

So where do we go from here? Let’s finalize our thoughts today with declarations for all who are desperate to become more spiritually mature. If you are like us, you will realize to be spiritually mature is not a final state, but a never-ending race to a destination that continually glorifies our Lord.

•  As a spiritually maturing believer, I do not bow down to the counsel of the ungodly.
• As a spiritually maturing believer, I do not sit in the seat of those who scorn and judge those around them.
• As a spiritually maturing believer, I do not stand in the places of sin, or in agreement with those who are in opposition to the things of the Lord.
• As a spiritually maturing believer, I eschew evil and I embrace the righteousness of God.
• As a spiritually maturing believer, I bear the good fruit of the spirit, including love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
• I believe that my walk with the Lord, insists that I continue to grow in my knowledge of who He is, by studying the Word, and reaching out to the Lord in prayer.
• I believe that the fullness of my Christian experience is not centered in my busyness for Christ–but is centered in my understanding of Christ in my life.
• My spiritual maturity is a destination that I choose to honor my Lord, so that my life is a reflection of the goodness that He pours out on me.

 

Amen!

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