Spiritual Growth

INTRO: When we confessed our sins to Jesus Christ and asked Him to forgive us and save us, we began a spiritual journey that will not end until we leave this earth. So many Christians never grow in their spiritual life, thereby missing out on God's best. Here are a few suggestions to help you progress on the road of spiritual growth. If you do these things you will surely grow spiritually and you will gain tremendous strides in your relationship with Jesus and as a result you will experience more of Him and His blessings in your life. God has much more for all of us Christians who grow in Him.

I. Acknowledge who you are. You are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life. If you have been born again by God’s Spirit, His Spirit also lives in your physical body. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

II. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Look inside you, and try to find out what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. The Holy Spirit is the power by which Christians are brought to faith, then baptized into the body of Christ and then helped to understand their walk with God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ⁹ But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

III. Make an effort to think positively. Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Your life will be guided by what you think. Always try to look at the bright side of life. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative. The word of God is very positive! If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately direct your mind to thinking on His word. As we read the word of God the Holy Spirit renews our mind to think as God does. Colossians 3:1-2 ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Rom. 12:2 says, "Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." God's word will do that!

IV. Start learning and practicing meditation on God’s word. Psalms 1:1-3 ¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

V. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. [Eph. 5:18] And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation or excess; but be filled with the Spirit,
Surrender to the Holy Spirit's control and live the Spirit filled life. Galatians 5:22-23] ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. By bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives we can live for God and be victorious in every circumstance and situation. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

VI. Thank God for everything. Thank God for everything that you have in, through and from Him. [Ephesians 1:3; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ¹⁰ "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. ¹³ "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

Invitation: Spiritual growth begins with a personal relationship with Jesus. Do you even know Jesus? If not, now is the time to admit that you are a sinner and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and invite Him to live in your heart. Then be baptized to show the sincerity of your salvation.

If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, where are you in your relationship with Him since you have been saved? Are you growing daily in your spiritual walk with Him? WOULD YOU PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN YOUR LIFE?