Every true believer is desirous of spiritual growth. Only foolish and unserious Christians would be non-chalant about growing up spiritually.
One of the many motivations which drives Gospelcaster, Inc is raising up spiritual men and women and the ensuing of growth in every believer.
It is on this motivation that I would be sharing some basic and foundational intelligence which you require if you must grow up spiritually.
Spiritual growth is not a concept for pastors and church leaders only. It is a phenomenon applicable to every one member of the body of Christ.
So, stop exempting yourself when discussions on spirituality comes up. In as much as you are a believer, God expects that you grow in Him, hence you have got to know the basics required for spiritual growth.
Let's sojourn together as I unravel these intelligence!
Intelligence #1:- The Study Of The Word of God
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" – 1 Peter 2:2
The word of God in the scripture verse above is likened to spiritual milk which is necessary for spiritual growth.
Apostle Peter admonishes us to desire to take in this spiritual milk because without it there is no way we can grow up in our salvation.
If your Christian journey is deficient of the study of the word of God then you are not prepared to grow at all.
The Bible is spiritual milk. The same way milk is needed for the growth and development of newborn babies so is the word of God important for the growth and development of a believer.
Take a look at 2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Apostle Paul would have just told Timothy "study to show thyself approved to me, your mentor" but we see Paul urging Timothy to show himself approved unto God by virtue of studying.
God takes the study of His word very highly. Like I said earlier, God is interested in your growth and the study of the Bible is your 1st step at growing.
Intelligence #2:- Meditating On The Word Of God
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." – Psalms 1:2
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt mediate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt have good success." – Joshua 1:8
The study of the word of God is not all that facilitates spiritual growth.
The word of God is seed and studying the word is like picking up this seed but then a seed is useless except it is being sown and that's what mediation is about.
A seed, no matter how good it is, would not yield effect except it is being sown. If the word of God would yield any effects in your life then you must constantly mediate on it.
God's command to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 reads in part "this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt mediate therein day and night...".
As you study the word you must also meditate on it.
Meditation is a devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation. It is a contemplative discourse, often on a religious subject.
This I presume is the reason why Apostle Paul said "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15)
You can study the word of God and not gain a correct perspective of the word except you meditate on it.
You must take out time to contemplate, ponder, think, and rightly divide God's word so that your study of the word would yield dividends.
Without concise meditation, Bible study would be of non-effect. After studying, meditate on the word of God.
Intelligence #3:- Obedience to The Word of God .
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt mediate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt have good success." – Joshua 1:8
God did not just instruct Joshua to only keep the word and meditate on it but to also observe and do all that the word says – that's obedience.
After studying the word and meditating on it, you must be willing and obedient to do all that the word has commanded.
Your study and meditation of the word of God is only consolidated when you willingly obey the word. You must be willing and ready to obey the dictates of the word of God.
Intelligence #4:- Prayer
"Pray without ceasing" – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
"And He spake a parable to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint:" – Luke 18:1
"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" – Colossians 4:2
Spiritual growth involves an increasing knowledge of God.
Do not get it wrong. Your knowledge of God does not accurately determine your spiritual growth, it is only a parameter which suggests that you are growing.
If spiritual growth involves an increasing knowledge of God and the best way to know a person is by engaging constantly in tête a têtes with the person, how do you engage God in tête a têtes so you get to know Him and grow?
Prayer is the answer.
Prayer is the only legitimate means mankind has got to engage divinity in a discourse. There is no other means given to man by which we can communicate with God legitimately other than by prayers.
Until prayer is consistently on your lips you would never attain intimacy with God and your growth would be apical.
Mind you, the study of the word of the Bible is no substitute for prayer. You can not put one in place of the other. They bear unique and peculiar advantages.
As you study, mediate, and obey the word you must also yield yourself to fervent prayers.
Intelligence #5:- The Assembly of The Brethren
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." – Hebrews 10:25
Surrounding yourself with Godly people and a godly community is a proven system for growing up spiritually.
I personally would attribute my spiritual growth to the school environment. Joining Christ Ambassadors Student Outreach (CASOR) marked the turnaround in my life.
I became close to some very spiritual people and even though my school is known for a high level of immorality, I stayed within the confines of the spiritual environment CASOR provided for me and I have experienced great levels of growth.
The company you keep has the ability to fasten or thwart your spiritual growth. A wood can not sharpen a knife. Iron sharpens iron.
You can't be with a wrong company and expect to grow. Your wrong company does not create the atmosphere conducive for growth.
Imagine being surrounded by people who do not share the same conviction as you, do not see God as you see Him, leave life careless, and are given to youthful lust and exuberance. You will never grow with such persons.
As much as you can, you must encamp around people who share same beliefs and convictions as you, godly people who are truly pursuing God.
Sometime in the middle of 2018, My Godmother intimated me of how she found it hard to undertake spiritual functions because of her environment away from school.
She complained of not being able to pray, fast and study the word like she used to. I was shocked because she was a lady whose spiritual life and zeal caused me to be more serious with God. How could she be complaining of not being able to pray, fast and study?
Then it dawned on me how our environment posses a serious threat to our spiritual growth.
That is why the writer of Hebrews warns us never to neglect nor forsake the gathering of the brethren.
Seize every opportunity you have to engage in corporate prayers, Bible study and fasts. Create and dwell in an environment of godly people.
Conclusively, you can never go wrong with these basic intelligence for spiritual growth.
Study the word, meditate and obey it to the latter, yield yourself to prayers and stay within the confines of a godly community.
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