Are We Growing Spiritually?

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Are we Growing Spiritually? 

 

We know that we are disciples of Christ, which means we are expected to be students of His teachings. In order to be students who are pleasing and acceptable to Him, we must continue to study and to grow. 

Ephesians 4: 11 - 16

 

As we see, spiritual growth is a necessity for every Christian. There’s an old saying that if you’re not growing, you’re dying. That is very true, especially in the realm of spiritual growth and development. We must keep in mind and know how very important it is as a follower of Christ and a servant of God to continue growing spiritually. Today we want to take a look at growing spiritually. 

 

Spiritual growth does not happen overnight. You don’t come up out of the waters of baptism as a fully grown Christian. We are considered babes in Christ when we emerge from baptism. Babies all grow. We grow by studying.

I Peter 2: 2

 

There is a lot to learn, and that learning process lasts until the day of our death.

Colossians 2: 18 - 19

II Peter 3: 18

 

So since we must continue to grow, we should not become frustrated in our studies when we don’t understand something.  We also shouldn’t get frustrated when we struggle with temptation.

Hebrews 12: 3 - 4

 

Spiritual growth is done by having steady, consistent gains. To begin, we must have the desire to want to grow spiritually. 

Psalm 119: 66

 

If we are going to grow, we must sincerely desire to grow. Many people say that they want to grow, but they don’t show any true desire to do it. To grow as a Christian takes effort. To grow as a Christian takes a lot of effort. You get out of it what you put into it. We must always desire to be like the Bereans, if we truly want to be pleasing to God.

Acts 17: 11

 

We must always desire to be like the Psalmist, if we truly want to be pleasing to God. 

Psalm 119: 97

 

The best way to do something is to have a plan. Therefore, if we truly wish to grow spiritually, we need a plan for that growth. That plan should include daily Bible study. 

 

Simply studying the Bible on Sunday and Wednesday is not enough. God expects His children to be students. As such, we are expected to study His Word daily. 

 

This could be anything from reading and reflecting on a few verses each day, to doing a chapter study. Whatever level you do, you should strive to study His Word daily. 

 

Another good way to grow spiritually is to take notes during the Bible Class and Sermon. Taking notes helps you to remember what was taught. Taking notes keeps the things in mind that you studied, so that you can recall them when you are doing your home Bible study. 

 

Doing worksheets on what is being taught is another effective way to study. By filling out the worksheet, you are having to look up, read, and comprehend the passage of Scripture that you are being questioned over. This helps you to keep in mind what you have studied in the same way as taking notes. When you write something down, you tend to remember it better. 

 

As Christians, as disciples of Christ, as servants of God, we must be willing to take the time to grow spiritually. Growth, as we said earlier, doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time. It takes years. 

 

We have to be willing to take the time to learn. This may mean sacrificing other things.

Psalm 25: 5

 

Are you willing to take the time to grow? If not, you are not living faithfully unto death, as God expects His children to do.

 

When we do study and when we do grow, we will find some things that we must change in our lives. We must be willing to let go of some traditions we have when we find that they are contradictory to what God has taught.

Matthew 15: 3

 

You may have grown up with some ideas that go against what God has taught or commanded. You must be willing to give them up when you see that the Word of God says differently. 

 

Are you dedicated to your studies? Many people are not.

Hosea 4: 6

 

The problem in congregations of the Lord’s Church today is that too many people who gather with the congregation are not dedicated to studying God’s Word. The Bible clearly tells us that people are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge. The only way to gain knowledge is continuous study. 

 

When we do try to study God’s Word, we often find things that want to hinder our study. The world says that there are better things to do than to study God’s Word.

Proverbs 1: 29

 

However, we must always remember that the Word of God stands forever, and it is more important than any worldly thing. It is more important than any worldly activity. 

Proverbs 8: 10 - 11

Philippians 3: 7 - 8

 

This means that it is more important than your job. It is more important than your family. It is more important than your friends. It is more important than your earthly possessions. It is more important than yourself. 

Matthew 10: 36 - 38

 

When we are studying God’s Word, we may find ourselves confronted with some temptations. One temptation may be to just take what others say is the truth instead of looking and studying it for ourselves. 

Matthew 5: 19

 

Another temptation is to think that you know everything.

Romans 1: 22

 

We must always know that we will never know enough about God’s Word, and therefore we must continually study it for ourselves and learn with other Christians, checking and reading the Bible in those studies to make sure that what is being taught is the Truth. 

 

So how will we know that we are growing? How can we measure our growth? How do we know whether we are accomplishing anything in our studying? Well, one way is that you will have the ability to answer questions, ask questions, or to make comments in the Bible Class. 

 

Another way to measure your spiritual growth is if you are willing to lead prayers or to teach in the Bible Class. 

 

Growing spiritually will help you to be pleasing in the eyes of God.

II Timothy 2: 15

 

Are you ready to grow? Are you going to be willing to give up some time to study God’s Word daily? If so, then you are ready to grow as a Christian and be pleasing and acceptable to God.