Maturity, spiritual

The development of Christlike character and behaviour in the Christian through a renewed mind and tested faith.

Christlikeness as the goal and model for spiritual maturity

Ephesians 4:13–15 See also Colossians 2:6–7; Hebrews 12:2

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

Marks of spiritual maturity

Spiritual understanding

Colossians 2:2 See also Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 1:17–18; Hebrews 5:12–6:1

that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

Discernment of God's will and changed behaviour

Colossians 1:9–10 See also Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:1–3; Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 4:22–23; Philippians 1:9–11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Stability

Colossians 4:12 See also Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 3:17–18

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.

Care for the weaker brother

Romans 15:1 See also Galatians 6:1–2

We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Maturity is to be the aim of the Christian

Philippians 3:13–15 See also Luke 8:14 a reason for spiritual immaturity; 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Timothy 6:11

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.

The process of maturity

God causes spiritual growth

Philippians 1:6 See also Galatians 3:3; Hebrews 10:14

being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Possessing gifts of ministry

Ephesians 4:11–13 See also Romans 1:11

And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Being equipped by the word of God

2 Timothy 3:16–17 See also Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:5

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Persevering through trials

Romans 5:3–5 See also Hebrews 2:10; James 1:3–4; 1 Peter 5:10

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

The concern of the pastor is to help others to maturity

Colossians 1:28–29 See also 2 Corinthians 13:9–10; Galatians 4:19

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.