How can a Christian grow spiritually? The Bible is a complex treatise on spirituality. It upholds the great value of love and compassion and is a wonderful aid to follow for truth-seekers.
Spiritual growth requires commitment, perseverance, faith, and most importantly a forgiving and open mind. For Jesus exemplified forgiveness towards sinners, which through His grace and compassion, their hearts were renewed. However, only those who had faith in Him and God truly prevailed.
Here is a quick guide on how christians can grow spiritually.
Make Faith Your Top Priority
Christianity is a call to faith. The Bible says that Jesus would only accept those who testified for him before His Father. Those who deny Him will face the denial of the Son in front of the Father (Matthew 10: 32-33).
The essence of Jesus’s teachings is to recognize the oneness of Him, God and yourself. However, one can only do that and grow spiritually by constantly having faith in the truth of the Bible and of Jesus’s powerful teachings.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“
Hebrews 11:6 NIV (New International Version)
Jesus is kind and forgiving in most parts. But, Jesus also says that He has not come to bring peace but brings a bloodthirsty sword (Matthew 10: 33-34).
It is probably safe to say that the Holy Book also offers a taste of physical and spiritual death (Matthew 10: 28). In the end, it promises eternal life in the everlasting Kingdom of God after the Last Judgment.
What Is A Christian?
A Christian is a follower of Jesus, or in a more literal definition is someone who has paid for their sins by the blood of Christ. Also, a Christian believes in the Second Coming of Jesus to herald New Jerusalem.
Christianity has been a testimony to numerous ups and downs in history. Social and political events continue to shape the direction of Christianity even today.
Unfortunately, it has also become a fragmented religion with many sects and sub-sects. Even the Vatican has had its share of grim and unspeakable controversies.
Therefore, it is critical for every true Christian to cleanse their soul and have faith in the words of Christ. Most of all, you will need wisdom to lead a good life and follow the path of Jesus.
Depend on Wisdom
You must depend on wisdom to grow spiritually. The Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament almost entirely praises the virtues of wisdom.
Proverbs 3: 13-20 is especially interesting as it personifies wisdom as a female character and honors her against the adulteress. The adulteress is perhaps a metaphor for deceit and blasphemy.
The Bible says that blessings be to all who find wisdom. The gain from Her is better than silver or gold as She is more precious than all the jewels on earth.
She is incomparable, and Her ways grace one with pleasantness and peace. The Bible says that She is the Tree of Life for those who respect Her counsel.
Understanding The Bible
Understand the Bible as a treatise of the trinity, the Holy Father, the eternal Son, and the mystical Holy Spirit. It is an amalgamation of books that all tell interconnected stories which point back to the truth of God.
You can study the Bible for your entire life and still learn something new from it every day. It is a book for everyone to read and be guided to grow spiritually. This includes men, women, and children. Let it never be perceived that the Bible is a male-chauvinistic book.
Several verses place women in great honor. One of the most beautiful stories of forgiveness is when Jesus forgave the fallen woman against the testimony of the pharisees who accused her of adultery (John 8: 7-11).
Also, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene even before He was raised in the flesh (John 20: 11-18). Salome, Mary Magdalene, and Salome went to His tomb to anoint him (Mark 16: 1).
The women were following the direction of the omnipresent Holy Spirit. Jesus foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26. He proclaims that the Holy Spirit is the advocate of truth, a teacher, and one who will remind all the sermons of Jesus. The Holy Spirit descended as doves on Jesus during his baptism at the Jordan River.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit resides in all souls, as the body is but a temple of God. The Bible says that the only unforgivable sin in the world is to engage in blasphemy towards God’s Holy Spirit.
Even speaking out lies against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness. But, deceit towards God’s Holy Spirit is never forgiven (Matthew 12: 32).
Christian Values
Following the Bible for values endows one to the right direction in life. However, the Book also warns against being self-righteous.
In Proverbs 26:12, the Book says that there is more hope for a fool than a man who is wise by his own judgment. The Bible explicitly forbids all people to judge unless they are sure about being judged. The Holy Spirit shall judge you by the same measure one employs for judging others (Matthew 7: 1-2).
Also, quite a few verses denounce the sluggard. The person who does nothing but is of no use to others will suffer. The Book defines the sluggard (Proverbs 19: 24) as one who buries his hand in food but can not put the hand to the mouth! A sluggard will only crave and gain nothing, but the diligent will be prosperous.
Perhaps, this is another way of saying that just listening to God’s words is not enough. You will have to put it into practice (James 1: 22).
Practice Truth and Honesty
The Bible repeatedly warns against hypocrisy. Jesus foretells seven woes to the scribes on Moses’ seat who preach but never practice (Matthew 23: 1-36). He says that only their appearance is holy, like whitewashed tombs. Inside, they are all dead bones and uncleanliness.
The words spell out dire warnings against hypocrisy several other times. You may want to follow the guidance in Psalm 26: 4. Here, the faithful proclaims that he does not sit with false men or consult the hypocrites.
True Love
The Bible holds the virtues of divine love as the Greatest Commandment. A follower of Jesus should be able to love God with all! Tune the heart, mind, and soul into the same strain, and love.
The other Greatest Commandment mentioned in the Bible is also about love. It says that you must love all in the same measure you love your own self (Matthew 22: 36-40).
Perhaps the most serene of all Bible verses is in The Way of Love (1 Corinthians 13).
Here, the Book says that even when you know all the mysteries, you gain nothing without love. It goes on to say that love is not envious, boastful, irritable, or resentful.
Spiritual Growth in the Bible
Spiritual growth is but a call to follow the voice of conscience, the Holy Spirit. The verses cited here should help you grow spiritually, but only when you have a foundation of faith.
This is exemplified in the parable of the sower Jesus taught (Luke 8: 4-8). Only the seeds that fell on good ground sprouted. The Word of God is the metaphorical seed.
Final Thoughts For How Can A Christian Grow Spiritually
A Christian can grow spiritually by studying the bible, exhibiting grace and compassion for others and applying their faith and wisdom in every day situations, including the tough ones.
The Bible must be read with love and wisdom. It should never be used to justify orthodoxy and oppression. Only then, the Book reveals its treasures to you.
If you enjoyed this, you may be ready for a spiritual journey. Here are 5 essential steps to help you get started on one.