This is an article I wrote recently for a local young adults’ ministry.
“Spiritual Growth”
June 13, 2008
What does it mean to grow spiritually? We know that we must do it, yet what is it exactly, and how is it accomplished in us?
When we think of the term “spiritual growth,” the first thing that may come to mind is improving our relationship with God. It’s not unusual to think of this in terms our Christian routine. For example, it makes sense that reading the Bible, attending church services, and prayer would factor in to this type of personal growth. When we hear the word “spirit,” our thoughts naturally gravitate toward God and God-centered things.
But I believe that total spiritual growth actually requires more tasks and disciplines than these alone. God created us not just with a spirit, but with minds and emotions that we use to relate to Him and to other people. Therefore, if we are not doing things that support emotional and intellectual growth, we may even find it difficult to progress spiritually.
Regarding emotional growth, have you taken your emotional temperature lately? Are you hot-headed or perhaps cold toward others? Do you have trouble forming intimate friendships, or do you have a really negative self-image? It’s important that we, with God’s help, evaluate ourselves to find out in what emotional areas we need to grow. Psalm 139 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Sometimes traumas of the past set negative patterns in the present that keep us from relating to God and others the way He intended. Allowing God to search and heal our souls may be difficult, even painful, but in the end this “pruning” will result in fruitful and rich lives and relationships.
On the topic of intellectual growth, what activities stretch you mentally? Do you welcome opportunities to learn? God made us capable of thought and reason, and He wants us to do so for His glory. We can exercise our minds by reading, listening to Christian teachings, engaging in thoughtful conversation, taking lessons or classes — insert your favorite activity. We should especially develop our knowledge of Scripture through study and discussion so that we can “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15). In the category of intellectual growth I would also place practicing our God-given talents. The Lord doesn’t want the gifts and abilities He gave us to lie dormant, but to be used for our enjoyment and to bless others. To develop our various intellectual capacities in godly ways honors God.
I encourage you to pray and consider the parts of your life where the Lord may want you to mature further, whether they be emotional or intellectual in nature. Allow God to guide you through your spiritual disciplines to the ways He wants you to grow in your heart and mind, and you will find yourself growing closer to the Lord and to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
