Spiritual Growth [Bible Teaching]

“The most neglected of spiritual disciplines is the serious study of God’s Word”

— David E. O’Brien, author of ‘Today’s Handbook for Solving Bible Difficulties’

Kofi has been a Christian for the past 10 years and still yearns to grow spiritually. He sometimes feels God is not with him when he hears the testimonies of other believers who are doing ‘exploits’ as they say. “I want to grow. I really want to grow and be on fire like you”, Kofi will tell Manu when they meet for Bible studies on Wednesday night. He feels there is something Manu does that he is not doing. He thinks Manu is closer to God than him. “What should I do?” Kofi will ask Manu.

The dilemma of Kofi is faced by many other believers in our day and time. People feel spiritual maturity comes as a result of doing something and getting it instantly. Some think there is a formula that has ingredients such as fasting, praying for long hours, reading the Bible for hours, and others. What does the Bible say Kofi should do to grow spiritually?

Reading the Bible and understanding the overall story and themes of various books have shaped my way of looking at spiritual growth. I have learnt that there is nothing mystical or magical about it. Moreso, it isn’t instant. Spiritual growth, according to the Bible, is about daily living the word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to work on you. We are born again once and then pursue our salvation through the work of the Spirit in us (Phil. 2:12).

I Peter 2:1‭-‬3 says that,

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Peter wrote this epistle to encourage believers who found themselves in a hostile environment. He urged them to live like their Saviour Jesus Christ. Among other things, in this section, Peter dwells on the sure word of prophecy and how to imbibe it.

#1. LAYING ASIDE

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking"

The first thing to do if you want to grow spiritually is to put aside your old man. Several times in the epistles, the apostles instructed believers to overcome their former life and embrace the new. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if any person is in Christ, he is a new creation. He goes further to say that the old has passed away and all have become new in Christ. We must not allow our old Adamic self to take charge if we want to grow spiritually. It is carnal and enmity against God and only produces the works of the flesh.

#2. DESIRING THE WORD

"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word."

The second thing is to embrace the word of God. Psalm 1 says the blessed man does not associate with ungodly, sinful and scornful men, but delights in the law of the Lord. Pastor John Piper’s Desiring God organization says the more we desire God, the more satisfaction we get in Him. We must desire the sincere milk of the word if we want to grow. As a child desires to take more breast milk, they get more to satisfy them. Psalm 19 says the word of the Lord is pure. In the sense that it purifies our soul. Christ said His word will sanctify us (John 17). You can’t seek to know God and be pure with a closed Bible.

#3. YOU MAY GROW

"that you may grow thereby"

Now here is the deal: anyone who you see as a spiritual giant or hero did not just appear. The maturity you see in them is a result of hours, days, weeks, months and years of reading and studying the Bible, praying, fellowshipping and practicing the word. Spiritual maturity doesn’t just happen! Note that the Bible says ‘may grow’. Meaning it will not be the same for all. Some will bear little fruit and others relatively more. Joshua 1:8 says that we should pay heed to the word by reading, meditating and practicing and then we will see results. When I became a Christian, I couldn’t quote a verse nor pray. But by the grace of God, after 10 years, I think I can see a few fruits here and there. Consistent reading and practicing God’s word must be our full-time work as Christians so that we grow.

#4. GRACIOUS GOD

'If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious'

The last element is where everything rests. The grace of God embodied in His Son, saved us and sustains us. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. Whereas in Adam came sin and death, in Christ is found life and light. Therefore, if we have tasted His grace, it is natural that we become just as He was. If the Lord has been gracious to sacrifice His Son for our atonement, why won’t He inspire our senses to love His word and eat of it more and more to grow?

Dear Christian, do not seek instant growth. Seek gradual incremental growth that builds and affects all areas of your life. I learnt a while back that fast and instant things might not last. That’s why God built gradual growth in His creation. We see children grow from tiny babies to become adults. Seeds are planted and then they grow. The law of growth is not instant. It is gradual and incremental. Just lay aside dead works, desire the word more and more and see growth happen in your life. The next time you are seen, others will say, “you have grown. How did it happen?” Then you will say, all to the glory of God.