Spiritual Growth
By The Word
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
Just as when we are born physically, we are expected to grow; likewise, we are expected to grow when we are born-again spiritually. A baby that is born in the natural, if it does not grow is considered an anomaly. It is not natural for a newborn infant to not grow. If it does not, it is a sign that there is a birth defect, or it is malnourished.
Let’s examine the 2 above reasons for non-growth in the natural: A physical birth defect translates to an incomplete transformation in the spiritual. The bible gives us examples of types of soil that the word can fall onto that will cause it to become unfruitful: Mark 4:19 (KJV) “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” It is possible to become born-again but divert from the path of spiritual growth. This happens when we focus more on the things of this world than we do the things of God.
We have to switch from being led by our natural senses to being led by the Spirit. As we study God’s word, we will know what is required of us. David said: “thy word I have hid in my heart”. We cannot hide the word in our hearts if we do not know the word. So, we must have a desire for and knowledge of the word. We must also be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Here is an example of growth: 1 Corinthians 13:11 “ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” There is a well known saying: “please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet.” As we continue to seek God’s face and have a hearts desire to grow spiritually, the Holy Spirit with the word will help us to mature into the person God wants us to be.