There are several areas in our lives in which there is the potential for reaching a higher maturity. Some of these are that we can mature physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. These areas are all intertwined such that to mature to our potential, then we must mature in them all.
Maturity is not to be measured in years but where you are at in your journey. There are many who advance in years but do not mature along the way. There are a few who are mature beyond their years and are reaching the heights of their potential. Don’t worry about the other guy, but where are you?
The maturity of a Christian is not how long you’ve been one but by how much of one you really are. “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food” (Hebrews 5:12 NLT).
Physical maturity is the process by which our body grows and changes over time. We will all age as we grow older, but we can choose how well we take care of ourselves along the way. The mature believer will treat his or her body as if it were not their own.
No matter where you are with your physical condition right now, you can choose to make the best decisions moving forward. Maturing does not mean we don’t fail but only that we learn from our mistakes. To be our best, we must learn from our worst. Ask God to help you.
Maturing in faith is not agonizing in all you have done wrong but persevering in all you should do right. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NKJV).
Another area in which we can mature is with our emotions. We can learn to control our emotions instead of letting our emotions control us. Reaching emotional maturity does not mean we don’t express our emotions but only that we are able to restrain them.
Oftentimes, we justify the loss of emotional control based on the circumstances that surround us. We blame others for when we lose control in ourselves. Emotional maturity doesn’t just happen but requires your willingness to change. Invite Christ to help you control your emotions.
You have to reflect inwardly to change how you act outwardly. “Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4 HCSB).
We have the potential to mature intellectually. This is not adding facts and figures to one’s library in their head. Nor is it the ability to manipulate others by your intellectual prowess. Rather it is the process by which we learn to reason such that we can discern the truth from the lie.
Maturing intellectually is not accomplished in a study session but through prayerful meditations. If we want to reason rightly, we will need the wisdom from God to help us. It is not about becoming smarter but becoming wise. Pray to the Father that He would help your mind to mature with heavenly wisdom.
The world’s idea of a mature Christian is one who has more knowledge of the truth. God’s idea is one who lives more truth. Knowledge can know the truth, but wisdom lives it. “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 AMP).
Spiritual maturity comes from spiritual power that emanates from the presence of God within you. We cannot use the measurements of man to determine when we reach the spiritual heights found only in heaven. What may look right to us spiritually may very well be an offense to God.
Your spiritual maturity is not born out of striving but surrendering to all that the Holy Spirit might do in you. Reaching new heights is done by becoming ever lower in yourself that the Lord would take you higher. It is not about having more miracles but about having more grace for those who are around you.
In the natural order, as we mature, we are able to do more on our own. In the divine order, as we mature, we rely upon the Lord to do more through us. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).
My prayer is that you would seek to live a life of ever-growing maturity. Don’t consider your current situation worrying about the opinions of man but only the truth that God can take you higher. Ask God to do what only God can do and watch as He lifts you higher.
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
Another stellar reflection of greater grace, Paul. Thank you. Amazing confirmation of Micah 6:8 musings.
Thank you so much Tanis!