By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Eph 4:13 “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” NLT

Developing a mature, vibrant Christian life is God’s expectation of every believer. Just like a parent expects their child to grow to maturity and not remain, babies all their lifetime. God expects us to grow spiritually. When we grow and mature spiritually, we can understand God’s purposes better and understand the values of life from God’s point of view and choose them over other values competing for our time and pursuit. Natural babies do not understand purpose and values. They depend entirely on their parents to make decisions for them.

HOW WE GROW SPIRITUALLY

• • To grow spiritually, it is important to first feed on the right spiritual diet. Feeding on the wrong diet can stunt growth and make one vulnerable to deception, which can ultimately destroy their faith. The word of God reveals the grace of God in Christ, allowing us to know who we are in Him, what we can do in Him, and what is ours in Him. Making this personal is even better, as generic terms do not drive the point home effectively. Jesus is the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment and the giver of life. He is the Word of God made flesh, and through Him, we can have access to the abundant life that God has promised. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NIV).

 Feeding on Christ entails involves developing a personal relationship through prayer, worship, and obedience. By abiding in Him, we can experience the fullness of life and bear fruit that glorifies God and blesses others, as illustrated by the metaphor of a vine and branches in John 15.

No other knowledge compares in value with the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Phil 3: 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.NLT

• •  Secondly we grow by practicing the word of God. As they say, practice makes perfect. Simply hearing or reading the Word of God is not enough. We must apply its teachings in daily life. By doing so, we can become more Christ-like and develop spiritual strength and maturity. The practice of the Word of God also helps us to develop a deeper connection with God and experience a greater sense of peace and fulfillment. Although it can be challenging, practicing the Word of God is a key part of the journey toward becoming more like Christ and living a meaningful life.

• • Thirdly, we must recognize that difficult times provide an opportunity to practice what we have learned, and our real-life challenges serve as a spiritual laboratory. For instance, practicing love even when we do not receive love in return or exercising patience when we face a difficult person or situation can help us to develop these qualities. The process of practicing these virtues can be challenging, but it can lead to personal growth and transformation. Ultimately, difficult times can serve as an opportunity for us to put our spiritual learning into action.

 James 1:2 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

We must endeavor to exhibit a good attitude during trials. A joyful attitude can help us appreciate the value of these experiences, avoid complaining and failure. To excel, individuals should take their challenges seriously and perform well. challenges are not a one-time thing but rather an ongoing process of training to handle higher responsibilities. In all situations, both good and bad, we should give thanks to God.

 1 Thess 5:16 “Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ JesusNLT.

Phil 3 “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.”

Trials play a crucial role in revealing an individual’s spiritual maturity and the quality of their faith. It is suggested that individuals should not be afraid of the challenges they face or view them as strange occurrences. Instead, they should face these trials with a conquering spirit, confessing the Word of God, and not a victim spirit that glorifies the trials themselves.

1 Peter 1:6 “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory.”

• • Lastly, developing a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for a believer’s growth. This involves prayer, listening to Him, meditating on Scripture, and letting Him lead us. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless, and neglecting Him leads to frustration. He reveals Jesus to us, gives us strength, and guides us. We must see Him as our constant companion, cultivate intimacy, and fulfill our purpose through His empowerment.

Whatever we do, we must make sure to observe what we are admonished to refrain from in the following scriptures.

11 Thess 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.” 

Eph 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Prov 3:5″ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

To fully experience the blessings of God, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us and avoid taking matters into our own hands. Following Him patiently leads to the birth of an “Isaac,” a blessed outcome that the enemy cannot overcome. Seeking God in prayer is essential to learn how to fellowship with the Holy Spirit, who is real and a personal gift from Jesus and the Father in heaven. Neglecting Him is not an option.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church in East Orange, New Jersey.