1 PETER 2:2 NKJ 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
Spiritual growth is similar to physical growth. Time, food, and activity are the requirements. God's Word provides our spiritual food.
A full supply of nutritious spiritual food is the main requirement for spiritual growth. But spiritual activity is also required for you to grow strong, instead of just growing fat.
JAMES 1:22 NLT 22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Acting on God's Word is spiritual activity. Some examples are speaking God's Word, praying, praising God, being thankful, walking in love, and trusting God.
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EPHESIANS 4:15 NKJ 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ --
Speaking God's Word is vital for spiritual growth. You must personalize and internalize what God said about you. Then you will begin to think, see, and act in line with God's Word. This process is Bible meditation.
1 TIMOTHY 4:15 NKJ 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
How will you, and others, know when you are growing spiritually?
The evidence of spiritual growth is spiritual fruit. So, to know if you are growing spiritually, check your life for more of the fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
GALATIANS 5:22-23 ESV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Remember that growth is a process so don't become discouraged if you don't have abundant spiritual fruit immediately. Just keep feeding on God's Word and it will produce the fruit of growth.
Another way of describing spiritual fruit (and thus spiritual growth) is becoming more like Jesus in the way you act.
EPHESIANS 4:13 NLT 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
When you grow spiritually, you will grow in faith and love.
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2 THESSALONIANS 1:3 NKJ 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.
Having a coach, mentor or spiritual director. These people do not tell you what to do, or demand that you take certain directions, they have the responsibility to facilitate you and encourage you in your walk with God. Having someone like this in your life will help you to understand more clearly what God is saying, or what he desires of you. They are likely to keep you accountable to the vows/decisions you have made to follow the Lord. Examples of coaching/mentoring in the Bible: Exodus 18:1 – 24, Paul – 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Ephesians 4:11 – 12, Barnabas Acts 9:23 – 31, Jesus, with the disciples for three years, teaching, training, leading and then leaving them to carry on his work.
SAY THIS: I love the pure milk of God's Word which feeds my spirit and causes me to become more like Christ.
