Spiritual maturity is the process of growing in one’s relationship with God and becoming more like Christ. As we grow spiritually, we develop godly character, deepen our understanding of spiritual truths, and increasingly rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible teaches about spiritual maturity:
1. Developing the Fruit of the Spirit
As we grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit produces positive virtues and character qualities in our lives known as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. A spiritually mature believer will demonstrate these godly attitudes and behaviors more consistently.
2. Gaining Wisdom and Discernment
An important aspect of spiritual growth is developing wisdom – understanding deep spiritual truths and applying them to daily life. We gain wisdom through reading Scripture, learning from mature believers, and listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Proverbs 1:5, James 1:5). Spiritual maturity also enables us to better discern truth from falsehood and to make wise decisions that align with God’s will (Hebrews 5:14).
3. Deepening Intimacy with God
Mature believers have a vibrant, intimate relationship with God. They regularly practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, meditation on Scripture, worship, and service to deepen their bond with the Lord (John 15:5, James 4:8). Their love and reverence for God impacts all areas of life.
4. Serving Others
Spiritually mature Christians live unselfishly, following Jesus’ example of serving others (Mark 10:45, John 13:1-17). They use their spiritual gifts and resources to minister to those in need and further God’s kingdom (1 Peter 4:10, Matthew 25:34-40). Their faith expresses itself through loving actions.
5. Persevering Through Trials
Growth often occurs during difficult times. Mature believers allow trials to produce steadfastness, wisdom and Christlike character in them (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). They lean on God’s strength to endure hardships, while maintaining joy and bearing good spiritual fruit.
6. Living According to the Spirit
The Bible contrasts living “according to the flesh” versus “according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:5-8). Mature Christians increasingly submit to the Holy Spirit’s control and guidance. Their thoughts, decisions and lifestyles reflect His transforming influence.
7. Becoming More Like Christ
Spiritual maturity involves being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18). As we grow, we become more loving, joyful, pure, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled – just as Jesus was.
8. Walking in Obedience
Mature believers know God’s Word and strive to obey it. Their obedience flows from love and reverence for the Lord. While they still occasionally sin, the pattern of their lives is to honor Christ through obedience to His commands (John 14:21, 1 John 2:3-6).
9. Being Fruitful for the Kingdom of God
Spiritually mature Christians live fruitful lives that glorify God. They allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit through them. Their words, actions and character point people to Christ. God uses them to help fulfill His purposes in the world (John 15:8, 16).
10. Possessing Godly Virtues
In addition to the fruit of the Spirit, mature believers increasingly demonstrate other virtues that please God:
– Faith – Firmly trusting God and His Word (Hebrews 11:6)
– Hope – Joyfully anticipating God’s promises (Romans 15:13)
– Love – Sacrificially serving others (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
– Humility – Considering others above self (Philippians 2:3-4)
– Integrity – Displaying moral excellence and purity (Psalm 15:1-2)
– Self-control – Subduing sinful desires and passions (Titus 2:11-12)
– Gratitude – Thanking God continually (Colossians 2:7)
– Compassion – Showing mercy to those in need (Colossians 3:12)
– Courage – Boldly standing for Christ (Joshua 1:9)
– Zeal – Fervent spiritual commitment (Titus 2:14)
– Forgiveness – Extending grace to those who wrong you (Ephesians 4:32)
11. Being Transformed Into Christ’s Likeness
The ultimate goal of spiritual maturity is to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As we walk closely with Him, read His Word, commune in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to refine us, we become more and more like our Savior (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18). Our thoughts, words, actions, character and very essence increasingly reflect His. This process culminates when He returns and we see Him face to face in eternal glory (1 John 3:2).
12. Relying Completely on the Holy Spirit
Spiritual maturity cannot be achieved in our own strength. The Holy Spirit propels every aspect of our growth. As we yield more fully to Him, He transforms us to be more like Christ. The Spirit produces godly fruit in our lives, guides us into truth, convicts us of sin and empowers us to serve God effectively (Galatians 5:16-26, John 16:13, Acts 1:8). Our role is to submit to His leading.
13. Taking Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
While spiritual growth relies fully on the Holy Spirit, we also have a responsibility to pursue maturity intentionally. We must make developing Christlike character our goal, immerse ourselves in Scripture, pray fervently, fellowship with other believers and obey God in all we do. We will never be perfect in this life – but the goal is to become ever more like our Savior (Philippians 3:12-14, Colossians 1:28-29).
14. Embracing the Process as a Lifelong Journey
Growing more spiritually mature is a lifelong process. No matter how long we’ve walked with Christ, there is always room for growth. Even the godliest saints can become more loving, joyful, holy and Christlike. A mark of maturity is recognizing we will never “arrive” but must keep progressing until the day we go to be with the Lord (Philippians 3:12-14, 2 Peter 1:5-8).
15. Allowing God to Prune and Refine Us
Pruning and refining are part of spiritual growth, as God removes sinful habits and ungodly attitudes. This process can be painful, as the Lord convicts and disciplines those He loves (John 15:1-2, Hebrews 12:7-11). But the outcome is greater fruitfulness, wisdom and Christlike character. Mature believers submit to God’s sometimes difficult pruning, trusting it produces righteousness in them (Romans 5:3-5).
16. Taking Responsibility for Our Own Spiritual Growth
While we rely fully on the Holy Spirit, we also have a role to play in pursuing spiritual maturity. We are instructed to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), present ourselves to God daily (Romans 12:1), renew our minds with Scripture (Romans 12:2), and press on toward perfection in Christ (Philippians 3:12-15). Our role is to submit to the Spirit’s leading in actively pursuing growth.
17. Moving From Spiritual Milk to Solid Food
The writer of Hebrews uses the analogy of moving from milk to solid food to describe spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:11-14). Spiritual “infants” require basic, foundational teaching. But mature believers can digest deeper scriptural truths. Growing in Christ means progressively gaining greater understanding of the Bible and its practical application.
18. Producing Spiritual Fruit That Remains
Jesus taught that bearing lasting spiritual fruit is evidence of genuine faith in Him (John 15:5-8). As we abide in Christ, He produces fruit through us – fruit that has an eternal impact. Good deeds done from wrong motives don’t endure. But the Spirit-empowered deeds of mature believers result in fruitful rewards that shine for eternity.
19. Being Salt and Light
Mature believers apply their faith in the world around them. They act as salt, slowing moral decay, and light, exposing darkness (Matthew 5:13-16). Their righteous influence promotes godliness, justice and truth. Their good works ultimately point people to glorify the Father. A mature faith impacts society, not just private spirituality.
20. Participating in Christ’s Sufferings
Oddly, suffering can produce positive spiritual growth. As we share in Christ’s sufferings, we better understand His sacrifice for us. We also gain new capacity to comfort others facing trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). God uses hardship to refine our faith and make us more like Jesus, who was perfected through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
21. Teaching Others
Those who are spiritually mature have learned from God’s Word and experienced spiritual growth themselves. They are equipped, therefore, to teach and disciple younger believers just starting their walk with Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14, Titus 2:1-8). This multiplication of mature disciples was part of Christ’s model for growing His Church (Matthew 28:19-20).
22. Serving God in Spirit and Truth
Maturing believers know God seeks worshipers who’ll worship Him in both spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). They express heartfelt praise, while also emphasizing sound doctrine and obedience to Scripture. They submit all aspects of themselves – mind, will and emotions – to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
23. Standing Firm in Correct Doctrine
Mature believers know sound doctrine leads to godly living (1 Timothy 4:16, Titus 2:1). They study God’s Word diligently to learn scriptural truth and avoid false teaching. While avoiding an argumentative spirit, they humbly but firmly defend core biblical beliefs when challenged or confronted (Jude 1:3).
24. Having a Kingdom Focus
Spiritually mature Christians keep an eternal perspective. Their priorities align with God’s kingdom more than earthly concerns (Matthew 6:33). They invest time and resources to grow God’s kingdom and store up heavenly treasures. Their lives demonstrate that this world is not their true home.
25. Demonstrating Patience
Patience – longsuffering and perseverance – is part of the fruit the Holy Spirit develops in us (Galatians 5:22). Mature believers endure adversity, wait on God’s timing and continue serving others even when facing opposition. They follow Christ’s model of patience in suffering (Hebrews 12:1-3).
26. Living as a New Creation in Christ
When we trust in Jesus as Savior, He makes us new creations spiritually (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old sinful nature is replaced with a redeemed nature that delights to please God. Evidence of this transformation is a lifestyle that increasingly reflects our new identity as children of God who live “in Christ.”
27. Esteeming Christ Above All Else
Mature believers understand that nothing compares to knowing Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:8). No earthly thing – even good things like relationships or achievements – take priority over following Him wholeheartedly. Loving and obeying Christ is their supreme goal. Everything else fades in light of His surpassing worth.
28. Living as Aliens and Strangers
The Bible describes followers of Jesus as “aliens and strangers in the world” whose true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11). The values and priorities of spiritually mature Christians will often seem odd to unbelievers. Mature believers are willing to be different from culture because they know this world is temporary.
29. Being Renewed Day by Day
Believers don’t achieve spiritual maturity overnight – it’s a lifelong process. Growing in godliness requires continually yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit and cooperating with His transforming work in us. Mature Christians actively pursue renewal and fresh fillings of the Spirit each day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
30. Understanding the Gospel and Sharing It
Mature believers gain a thorough knowledge of the gospel – Christ’s death for sin, resurrection and offer of salvation by grace through faith. They understand the gospel transforms lives and compels them to share it with others (2 Timothy 1:8-12). A mature faith passionately advances the true, saving message of Jesus Christ.
Signs of Immature Faith
While we should be gracious in evaluating others’ spiritual state, Scripture gives signs of immature faith we can humbly examine in our own lives:
– Prideful, envious attitudes (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
– Division and quarrels in the church (1 Corinthians 3:4-9)
– Living inconsistently with one’s beliefs (James 1:22-25)
– Blaming others for temptation and sin (James 1:13-15)
– Difficulty controlling anger and the tongue (James 1:19-20, 3:1-12)
– Prayerlessness and lack of wisdom (James 1:5-8)
– Indifference to the Word of God (James 1:19-24)
– Moral compromise with the world (James 4:4)
– Love of money and possessions (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
– Flaunting liberty in Christ to indulge sinful desires (1 Peter 2:16)
– Enslavement to various passions and pleasures (Titus 3:3)
When we recognize these attitudes and behaviors in ourselves, with God’s help we can repent and continue progressing toward spiritual maturity.
Cultivating Spiritual Maturity
Scripture encourages practices that foster ongoing spiritual growth:
– Studying, memorizing and meditating on the Bible (Psalm 1:1-3)
– Praying regularly, including fasting (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
– Fellowshiping with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Participating in the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
– Using our spiritual gifts to serve the church (1 Peter 4:10)
– Worshipping God personally and corporately (John 4:23-24)
– Sharing our faith with unbelievers (Matthew 28:19-20)
– Submitting all areas of life to the Lordship of Christ (Luke 9:23)
As we walk closely with Jesus Christ through these means of grace, He progressively transforms us into His image and likeness.
The Goal of Spiritual Maturity
Our ultimate aim in pursuing spiritual maturity is not to follow rules or become “super saints.” Rather, it is to glorify God and increasingly reflect Christlikeness in how we think, speak and live. When our lives are characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, we give evidence of the transforming power of God’s grace. We become living testimonies of the gospel and conduits of His love to others.
May we keep pressing onward to maturity in Christ until the day our faith becomes sight!