by: Sandy Chery

All believers, at some point in their spiritual journey, must consider if they are maturing in their faith— or growing spiritually. Spiritual growth is the maturity believers experience as they grow in their intimacy with God, learn about the Christian faith, and learn how to live according to His Word through obedience. This process of growth is lifelong, and the Holy Spirit plays a major role in enabling believers to live a life that is pleasing to God.

However, growth is a choice. Believers must decide whether they truly want to experience the fullness of what God has for them to grow spiritually. It is not something that will occur by happenstance. When considering physical growth, an infant does not grow to be an adult overnight. There are psychological processes that have to take place over time to see that infant mature into adulthood. Spiritual growth works similarly—it takes time. 

Here are some scriptures to consider regarding spiritual growth and maturity. 

1. 2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

2. 2 Peter 1:5-9, ESV

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”

3. Colossians 1:9-10, ESV

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”

4. Galatians 5:22-23, ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

5. Matthew 5:6, ESV

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

6. Hebrews 6:1-2, ESV

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

7. Psalms 92:12, ESV

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

8. Luke 8:14-15, ESV

“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

9. 1 Corinthians 13:11, ESV

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

10. Romans 12:2, ESV

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

As you consider and meditate on these scriptures, remember that no person experiences the same growth patterns at the same rate. The only important factors are that a desire to grow is present and there is intentionality to build a relationship with God consistently. The Holy Spirit will ultimately enable you to take the steps needed to experience spiritual maturity.