The Biblical Guide to Spiritual Maturity
Eddie Snipes
Mark 4:23-25
Spiritual maturity shouldn't be a mystery, yet anyone who has spent time in the church has likely noticed varying levels of spiritual growth among the members. Some grow slowly, some grow quickly, and some never grow at all. Why is it that so many never mature beyond spiritual infancy? I have yet to hear anyone declare, ''I don't want to grow closer to the Lord.'' But I've heard many testify their desire to know him deeper. Sometimes those who make such a declaration begin growing, but many times they find themselves in the same position of stagnated growth year after year. The Bible warns that there will be many who are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This is not unique to our time, for the Apostle Paul scolded the members of one of his churches by saying, ''By now you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.''
Why is this such a problem in the church? Why do many Christians get stuck in the cycle of learning the basics, and yet never get beyond the need to learn the basics again. I believe the Bible gives us the answers. I also am confident that if you apply these things, you will not be left in spiritual immaturity. In fact, the Bible promises that if you follow specific principles, you will be fruitful and find the doors of heaven wide open. We'll look at the passages which teach this shortly, but let's begin with the words of Jesus which hit at the heart of the problem.
Hear, and take heed
Look at Mark 4:23-25
23 ''If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.''
24 Then He said to them, ''Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 ''For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.''
I've seen this passage applied incorrectly t ...
Eddie Snipes
Mark 4:23-25
Spiritual maturity shouldn't be a mystery, yet anyone who has spent time in the church has likely noticed varying levels of spiritual growth among the members. Some grow slowly, some grow quickly, and some never grow at all. Why is it that so many never mature beyond spiritual infancy? I have yet to hear anyone declare, ''I don't want to grow closer to the Lord.'' But I've heard many testify their desire to know him deeper. Sometimes those who make such a declaration begin growing, but many times they find themselves in the same position of stagnated growth year after year. The Bible warns that there will be many who are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This is not unique to our time, for the Apostle Paul scolded the members of one of his churches by saying, ''By now you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.''
Why is this such a problem in the church? Why do many Christians get stuck in the cycle of learning the basics, and yet never get beyond the need to learn the basics again. I believe the Bible gives us the answers. I also am confident that if you apply these things, you will not be left in spiritual immaturity. In fact, the Bible promises that if you follow specific principles, you will be fruitful and find the doors of heaven wide open. We'll look at the passages which teach this shortly, but let's begin with the words of Jesus which hit at the heart of the problem.
Hear, and take heed
Look at Mark 4:23-25
23 ''If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.''
24 Then He said to them, ''Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 ''For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.''
I've seen this passage applied incorrectly t ...
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