Signs of Spiritual Maturity
The School of Life
Working at my father's supermarket, I learned how to judge the maturity of a watermelon. As a teen bag-boy I would regularly ask the customers if they wanted me to “check” their watermelon and often they responded by saying, "sure, how do you do that?" I would whip out my black felt marker and put a big black check on their watermelon, which inevitably led to a smile and a groan... the same response I get to most of my humor today...
Just looking at a watermelon, it is very difficult to determine if it is sweet tasting or sour and bitter. They all look alike, nice green exterior. Some have clear signs of a problem... a hole, a soft spot or signs of mold where it sat in water. Some watermelons can look wonderfully mature (ripe) on the outside, yet be underdeveloped and green on the inside.The best solution is to “taste and see,” before leaving the supermarket, if that is an option. Some stores cut open a sample melon.
Outward appearances can be deceiving...
in melons and in Christians:
How can you tell if a Christian is mature or on the path to maturity?
What are the signs that a person’s faith is growing?
Is spiritual maturity obtained through Bible knowledge?
Does a degree at a Bible college or seminary determine spiritual maturity?
Is there a list you can punch out... and become mature?
Is there a competence to maturity?
Certainly Christians can grow old without growing up, or we wouldn’t have so many church splits.
Is there a look to maturity? (stern and serious, with a deep voice?)
Is maturity connected to posture in prayer? (facedown, nose in the carpet)
Is a person with hands in the air more mature than someone with hands in the pockets?
Is maturity determined by an ability to point out other's immaturity or what is wrong with the church (fruit inspectors)?
Is maturity guaranteed in denominational executives or retired pastors?
Can immature pastors speak effectively so that people are riveted?
Is insecurity a sign of immaturity?
Spiritual Maturity and BIG Faith
It was not a good thing when Jesus commented to the Twelve, “oh you of little faith.” Big faith is a measure of big maturity. Jesus wants us to grow up spiritually, to become mature believers in Christ.
Big faith is a measure of big maturity. Jesus wants us to grow up spiritually, to become mature believers in Christ.
When Dallas Willard was asked what he used to evaluate his spiritual maturity, he responded, “how quickly am I irritated by people?” Interesting! What is your litmus test?
Dallas Willard suggested that we become spiritually mature by embracing the life practices of Jesus.
Jesus abided in the presence of his Father (John 15:5) and then he abounded in ministry (1 Corinthians 15:58). Jesus modeled a busy life that led to time alone with his father (abiding) which led into more ministry (abounding).
Jesus promised a burden that is light and well fitting. He is not the great burner-outer-in-the-sky who loads more and more on us until we eventually burn out.
God created each of us to be able to “abide” and “abound.” Like turbine Jet engines, God designed us to function best at a consistent pace and rhythm in life. Jet engines run for years when operating at the right RPMs. Spinning too slowly or too quickly, will prematurely limit each Jet engines longevity.
Eugene Peterson’s book title, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, speaks about spiritual maturity as a path and a process that takes time.
The Bible speaks of Biblical word for “walk” in the Greek, “peripatéō,” which speaks of a consistent pattern, walking in the same direction.Several years ago, my daughter and I hiked the John Muir Trail. 220 miles from Yosemite to Mount Whitney. We weren’t the fastest hikers, but every day we woke up, at, broke camp and started walking. We completed the trek in 15 days because we kept walking in the same direction, we didn’t get lost or stray from the trail.
The path to spiritual maturity is similar in that it involves “walking” with God every day, staying the course, making progress every day, not getting lost.When the nation of Israel needed a new king, a “man after God’s own heart.”Notice what God says to Samuel,
"Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:6, 7 ESV)
The heart of the matter is always a matter of the heart. Spiritual maturity is about character, becoming what life would be if Jesus was living through each personality. Isn’t that what it means to be a “Christian,” becoming Christ like
Spiritual maturity is an organic, life-long process. It is the “sanctification” process of becoming more and more holy, growing in godliness. Hopefully it is a process that continues until you die.
Spiritual maturity is not automatic. Spiritual immaturity can be found in every church, even those with wonderful discipleship systems and processes, pastors and leaders.
Consider the people of God who had every advantage available for spiritual maturity to develop. They were supernaturally hand-picked by God through the Passover, rescued from Egypt, given freedom and water and manna and quail and sandals that didn't wear out and a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day! They were given the 10 commandments and a humble leader to guide them.
Yet they were spiritually immature, whiners who, at the first sign of trouble turned todancing and worshiping a golden calf. This entire generation of ingrates had to die before God led the next generation into the Promised Land.When life becomes difficult, immaturity reveals itself. Put a teabag in hot water and what is on the inside comes out (brown gunky stuff). The immature quit when things become difficult. Children characteristically whine and complain and throw tantrums.
Maturity Matters:
It is not automatic. It has never been more needed in the church or in society.
“The most important thing about you,” Dallas Willard would often say, “is not the things that you achieve; it is the person that you become.”
The writer of Hebrews prompts us all to keep growing to spiritual maturity,
Hebrews 6:1 (ESV) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…
So where do we start in helping each other grow to spiritual maturity in Christ? It involves more than gaining Biblical knowledge. Certainly it starts with the mind, when we make a choice to trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior. But God wants more! Too many believers have focused on having the right theology to get their ticket to heaven. They could be despicable people and claim, "I know I am saved because I believe in grace through faith." But James counteracted this shortsighted belief with...
James 2:14 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
The story of the young man who won the Bible memory verse challenge and then got caught stealing out of the offering basket is what this verse is speaking to. Spiritual maturity is about head, what we believe, heart, who we are and hands, our willingness to serve our Master.The order is important. It starts with the head as Jesus said,
John 8:32 (ESV)and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Then the focus is on becoming more like Jesus in character. Judas heard every one of Jesus' sermons, but his heart was not transformed. He knew the truth of the Gospel. But the heart of the matter is always a matter of the heart.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Then spiritual maturity is displayed in our hands, our willingness to serve Jesus.
Matthew 23:11 (ESV) The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Paul the Apostle provides spiritual leaders the proper focus for leading people on the path of spiritual maturity, the long walk of obedience.
Colossians 1:28–29 (ESV) Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Practice this verse and any church will be on the path to producing spiritually mature believers. GUARANTEED!