1Pet.2v1-2: Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
Spiritual growth does not just happen or take place like that without paying a certain price. So there is a price for spiritual growth and if you are seriously interested in growing spiritually, you need to be willing to pay the price. Nothing just happens! As you can see from our text scripture in (1Pet.2v1-2), you need to give up certain things if spiritual growth will take place. You need to give up some things in order to grow up. So, my dear reader, what are you willing to give up in order to grow up? (Pro.17v16).
In this series of teachings, my intention is to share with you the conditions you need to meet if spiritual growth will take place in your life. But before we start looking at these requirements, we need to define spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is the process of developing spiritually or becoming spiritually mature in Christ Jesus. It is the process of spiritual development and maturity (Eph.4v15). We all started as spiritual babies in Christ, but God’s intention is for us all to become spiritually matured and developed. This is why you need to take your spiritual growth seriously and there is no other greater way to do this than paying the price for spiritual growth. So what are these conditions and how can you meet them? This is what I will be sharing with you today, so without much ado, let’s check out these requirements.
THE CONDITIONS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH:
- PAIN. Yes, pain is one of the criteria for spiritual growth in a man’s life. There is no growth without pain! In fact, spiritual growth is not easy but is possible to attain. It takes pain to grow. This is clearly seen in the growth process of any seed that is planted in the soil. It usually takes a certain amount of force in order for the seed to come out of the ground. In the same vein, when a baby is growing up in a woman’s womb, there is a certain degree of pain associated with this development. This is why a woman feels uncomfortable at times. So, my dear brothers and sisters, growing up spiritually could be painful, but the price is worth the price (Lk.1v80).
In fact, you need to realize that pain is part and parcel of growth. Be willing to go through the discomfort and sacrifices now so that a better you can emerge. No pain! No power! No pain! No growth! This is how spiritual growth takes place. So are you going through any form of pain and sacrifice because of the growth process? I encourage you to take it in good faith, for a stronger and greater you will emerge. My dear reader, as you make these sacrifices, may your spiritual life blossom in Jesus name, amen.
Other Scriptural References: (Exo.33v11; Lk.2v36-37; 2Ki.2v1-15; Ps.92v12-14; Gal.1v16-17; 1Cor.13v11).
Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I am willing and ready to pay the price for spiritual growth in my life. Please help me, Holy Spirit, to live up to these requirements in Jesus name, amen.
CONFESSION: I am ready to lay aside certain things in order to grow up spiritually. I am willing to change in order to become more Christ-like in my disposition, character, conduct and behaviour. I am open to change. This change begins from the inside of me to the outside. As I behold his face, I am being changed from glory to glory and my growth is being made manifest for all to see in Jesus name, amen.
Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.
I need to grow mature spiritual