Personal Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth - What is it?
Spiritual growth is a choice and is necessary to deepen our relationship with God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It is making Jesus the Lord of our lives, submitting to the guiding power and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Growing in our spirituality is the desire to become righteous and more Christ-like in our everyday lives.

Spiritual growth is not the same thing as being religious. Religion comes from regimens of rigid traditions, ceremonies, and mandated deeds. Originating in man-made rules or religious laws, obedience is often guilt-motivated. Godly spirituality does not come from what man has dictated, but from true and earnest desires from the heart.

Spiritual Growth - How do we grow?
Spiritual growth begins first and foremost with believing and following Jesus Christ. We do this through faith. Our spirituality grows and matures through:

• Prayer (regularly conversing with God).
• Becoming students of His word and teachings (being disciples).
• Sharing the blessings of our spirituality with others (evangelizing).
• Giving God glory and praise through speech, behavior, and songs (worship).

Faith may begin like a tiny seed. When we exercise our faith, it grows. Let’s compare it to planting a seedling. We tend to it, fertilize (nourish) it, and it grows. We need to keep the weeds away from it. Our spirituality is much the same. The Holy Spirit of God prepares our hearts as the seed of faith is planted. That tiny seed of faith is nourished through prayer, studying the Bible, and surrounding ourselves with like-minded Christians. As it grows, we begin to share with others what God has done for us. When we do not give into the temptation to sin, we will spiritually grow and draw closer to the Lord. This will yield the fruit in our lives that He has designed for us. God brings us a joy and peace in life that defies all circumstances.

Our love increases for Him and all He’s done. This creates a deeper, personal relationship with Him and causes us to yearn for all that He has for us. It is a realm that our human minds often cannot understand; it requires trust and faith in God. The Lord God gives us a mental, emotional, and spiritual peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). He has many more blessings for us that are brought through the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Growth - What are spiritual blessings?
Spiritual growth and reaping its blessings is a work of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us there are two kinds of spirituality: the false and the true. In 1 Corinthians chapters 12-15, we are told about true spirituality, and in particular, spiritual gifts. These are things that God desires for each of us and every person has at least one spiritual gift. The purpose of these gifts is to minister to the needs of other believers. We each have a purpose in God’s service. The spiritual gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

Not one gift is superior to another and they all come from God for the purpose of building up the church, helping it to function more effectively, and bring us closer to Him. Do you want whatever God has for you? Even when we don’t fully understand, we can remember this verse, “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true -- even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Believe with faith; grow your spiritual relationship with God, and be blessed.

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