Spiritual Growth: Measures for How Youre Doing


In my yard are quarter-circles of grass growing taller than the rest. There 's also a 12-foot circle with no grass. What explains these phenomena? Alien laser blasts? A Martian landing site? No. The arcs are where we threw lawn fertilizer, and the circle is where the above-ground pool stood. Whether growth is fast, slow, or non-existent, the difference is easy to discern.

Paul tells his opponents to stop using worldly yardsticks instead of God's (2 Cor. 10:12). By a worldling's measure, Paul seemed a failure, but in God's eyes he was a glorious conqueror. By what standards should we measure spiritual progress?

  • Spiritual diet: meat vs. milk (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Am I learning more of God's Word, going broader and deeper than ever before? Or am I just rehashing what I've known for years, or worse yet, not reading and studying at all?

  • Spiritual model: Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:13). We measure our growth not by comparing ourselves with others, but with Christ. My life is guided not just by WWJD (what would Jesus do?), but also by WWJT (think) and WWJB (be). It is not just actions but also thoughts and motives that measure maturity.

  • Spiritual character: the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Am I growing in love, in joy, in peace, in patience, in kindness, in goodness, in faithfulness, in gentleness, and in self-control? It's like a cluster of grapes: each matures on its own--patience may be green while joy is ripe. Yet they all mature together.

  • Spiritual offspring: those you teach (Heb. 5:12). The ability to instruct others in the faith is a mark of maturity. The immature cannot reproduce. How are you doing at being able to share the gospel with someone else? God blesses the heart that is devoted to Him. Will you settle for no-growth or slow-growth by devoting yourself to worldly pursuits or giving the Lord half-hearted effort? Or will you put your heart and soul into maturing in Christ? Either way, the difference will soon be evident.

    Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

    Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

    Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

    MORE RESOURCES:
    RELATED ARTICLES
    Spirit to Spirit: A Letter to My Friend
    Good morning beloved,I always feel a need to let people know when they have especially touched my soul. Thus, I send this memo to you this morning.
    Remote Viewing - Making Light of the Dark
    Even Pandora and her box come in two versions. In one, the hideous woes of the world are let loose while locking hope inside.
    Using Psalm 23 as Spiritual Affirmation
    INTRODUCTIONSpiritual affirmations are positive, statements of intention, that facilitate manifestation. This particular Biblical Psalm used as spiritual affirmation both protects us and connects us with our Higher Faith, and therefore our Higher Destiny.
    Where Do You Cast?
    "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7.
    Life After Life - Death Is Merely a Changing Room
    Since I awoke from my three month coma in August of 2004, I have been asked many times about what I remembered and experienced. After looking over my notes and speaking with my wife and some of the medical professionals involved, I decided that it might be a good idea to write a short overview of these experiences.
    KABBALAH OF LOVE: The Secret Power of Ego
    The Key to True Love..
    Out of the Closet?
    We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our acceptance of ourselves and of who we are in accordance with the expectations of others. Do you understand what I am talking about? Or am I speaking alone here?I grew up in an environment dominated with the influence of the Catholic religion, and studied in the field of Engineering and Computer Science.
    Prayer - The Ultimate power
    There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone has it own unique importance.I like to explain an real, sensible & fact-full meaning of a prayer, as follows.
    It Seems We Have All Taken a POW
    Just for a moment think of what is stopping you from living your dream. Is it fear? Is it change? Most people in today's world have thought that at some point in their spirits evolution that money is the root of all evil.
    Heaven Bound: Win The Race!
    Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."Nothing is out of reach when you put your heart into it.
    Jesus The Great Comforter! When Life is not fair!
    We see it all the time in people's lives some unwanted circumstance enters and life is turned upside down. A loss of a job, an unexpected bill, sickness you name it.
    We Have An Emotional Jesus
    Lately In my email newsletters (available for FREE at http://www.ChristThroughMe.
    Dowsing - Using Divining Rods To Obtain Answers To Your Questions
    Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used since ancient times by water witchers, shamans, and wise-ones. Although the information obtained while using these tools seems to come from an obscure and esoteric source, in reality they simply measure energy patterns that occur naturally.
    Spirit and the Mind-Body Team
    Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and your body. No surprise there! Your mind and body are closely related because they can both be()given to you genetically ()created by you ()altered by some physical world eventGeneticsYour mind-body team is biologically based.
    Let Go Of My EgGO--Pride Cometh Before A Fall!
    Years ago a commercial ran for eggo waffles. It showed two small children grabbing an eggo waffle popping out of the toaster, yelling, "Let go of my eggo!!" We didn't see what transpired between the two, yet I have to believe one of two things happened; one of the children would have given in and let go or the waffle would have been torn in to small pieces.
    The Trust We Must Have to Manifest What We Truly Desire
    Some of my greatest teachers have taught me that faith and trust are two of our most powerful allies. True belief in your ability to create results in your life is based upon this trust.
    Two Halves Dont Always Make A Whole
    How do You Know If You Have Psychic Ability?
    I am sure many of you reading this article have pondered on this subject. Are some people simply born with a special gift or is this an acquired skill all of us can learn.
    Affirmations for Emotional Hygiene
    Last week I talked about the need to practice emotional hygiene, that is -- emptying your head of all toxic emotions such as jealousy, resentment, envy in order to create a kind of "blank slate." You need to clean your conscious mind of these emotions so that you can use the power of your subconscious mind to manifest more positive events in your life.
    Understanding the Tarot Card Deck - Part 1
    One of the first steps toward understanding the Tarot lies in appreciating the meaning of its two Arcana - the Major and the Minor. But even before that, the novice does well by committing to memory the meaning of "Arcana" - defined as "mysterious knowledge, language, or information accessible only by the initiate.