Spiritual Immaturity

     In my walk with the Lord, time after time I’ve encountered Christians who appear as spiritual
giants. Upon observation and closer consistent contact, there has obviously been a lack of
spiritual growth since their profession of Jesus as Lord and Savior by grace through faith. They
appear camouflaged, looking like sheep (Matt. 7:15). How then shall we recognize them?
According to Matthew 7:16, We shall know them by their fruit. When we examine this
individual’s life, ask: “Does his/her life line up with the Word of God? Does this life display the
lifestyle of holiness and love for the Lord? “

      Apostle Paul’s penning the Scripture found in I Corinthians 1:1-3 opens our awareness that
there are brothers and sisters of the faith who were saved, yet obviously “not living in light of
the spiritual realm into which they had been adopted. They lack spiritual growth and have
continued to live as they did before coming to Christ.” They primarily operate from a worldly
and earthly perspective, behaving as unbelievers (I Cor. 1:3-4, 10-13; Tony Evans CSB-2019)
Taken from a farmer’s perspective, any growth takes time. Christian maturity happens slowly
over time. Christian babes are not suddenly and magically transformed into spiritually adult
Christians. As believers, training and constant practice are geared toward lifelong activities. If
you neglect training, practice, prayer, meditation, fellowshipping with other Christians, and
studying God’s word, you are headed for a long life of spiritual infancy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have given us help to grow in the faith. Guide us to constantly
pray, give way to personal Bible study, meditate on Your Holy Scripture, and fellowship with the
saints of God. Help us to put our spiritual gifts in operation and sit under the preached Word
regularly. As I press toward greater spiritual maturity, plant my feet in Your care and truth.
By Novella D Carpenter