Spiritual Immaturity
Scripture: “ …. Brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies, in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly,.… are you not worldly and behaving as mere humans?” (I Corinthians 3:1-3 CSB)
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
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
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a Residence
4 Comments
Amen sister Novella! An encouraging devotional!
Amen Sister Novella! very uplifting Devotional..
Amen. Sis! First Cor. 3:1-3 is a powerful indictment against believers who are content with remaining steeped in carnality. Excellent devotional!
Amen. Thank You Jesus for Your patience.