Growing to Maturity 1 Spiritual Maturity Desired by

Growing to Maturity 1

Spiritual Maturity § Desired by every conscientious Christian, Matt. 5: 48; Phil. 3: 12; Eph. 4: 13 § Unscriptural definitions: § Open-mindedness (tolerance), 1 Tim. 6: 20 -21 § Always questioning but never definite, 2 Tim. 3: 7 § Free-thinking, Rom. 1: 21 -22 § Emotionalism, Jer. 10: 23 § Bible knowledge, 2 Pet. 3: 18 (1 Cor. 8: 1 -2) § Gospel preaching is for our maturity, Col. 1: 28 2

How Do We Reach Spiritual Maturity? §PUT AWAY CARNAL THINGS § Put away sin, 1 Cor. 3: 1 -3 (Col. 3: 5 -9) § Immaturity – Underdeveloped spiritually, 3: 1 § Gives way to anti-spiritual behavior, 3: 3 § When the flesh controls us there are contentions, strife and sin (1: 11) § These prevent growth in Christ 3

How Do We Reach Spiritual Maturity? §BY CULTIVATING OUR UNDERSTANDING AND USE OF TRUTH 1 Cor. 14: 20; Eph. 5: 17; Jno. 8: 31 -32 § Word of Christ must be in our heart, Col. 3: 16; Jas. 1: 21 § Obey from the heart, Jas. 1: 22 -25 § Answer others from the heart, 1 Pet. 3: 15 § Mature use understanding wisely, Jas. 3: 13 -18 4

How Do We Reach Spiritual Maturity? §BY BEING MORE AND LIKE CHRIST, Eph. 4: 13, 15 MORE § The maturing Christian measures himself by Christ (character and conduct), 1 Jno. 2: 5 -6 (1 Pet. 2: 21) § Is faith in Christ present in you? Jno. 8: 24 § Does the mind of Christ define you? Phil. 2: 5 § Christ must be formed in you, Gal. 4: 19 (2: 20) 5

How Do We Reach Spiritual Maturity? §BY PROGRESSING BEYOND FIRST PRINCIPLES, Heb. 5: 12 -6: 3 § In your understanding and use of God’s word, 5: 11, 13 § In your willingness and ability to teach, 5: 12 § In your ability to discern right and wrong, truth and error, 5: 14; Phil. 1: 9 -11 (Lk. 12: 57; Jno. 7: 24) 6

How Do We Reach Spiritual Maturity? §BY OVERCOMING TEMPTATION 1 Jno. 2: 14 (1 Pet. 5: 8 -9) § Word of God abides in the strong, Psa. 119: 11 § Diligently increase in every fruit of righteousness, 2 Pet. 1: 5 -11 § Withstand! 1 Cor. 10: 12 -13 7

Mandate to Mature 2 Peter 3: 17 -18 8