Every believer in Christ should be continually growing in faith, character, and wisdom. That takes intentionality. Each one of us has to put time and energy into our relationship with Christ so that He can shape us into God-glorifying ministers of the gospel, like Him. There are ways to support our spiritual growth and there are ways to squash it.
This post helps us recognize the things that stunt our spiritual growth, so we can repent and replace them with things that cultivate growth instead.
“Spiritual growth depends on two things: first a willingness to live according to the Word of God; second, a willingness to take whatever consequences emerge as a result.” ~ Sinclair Ferguson
Surefire Ways to Stunt Your Spiritual Growth
We have so many choices in life. Each one contributes to who we are, how we think, and what we do with our lives. As disciples of Christ, our greatest responsibility is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We’re commissioned to share the gospel and make disciples who make disciples. Endowed with the Spirit of the Living God, we have the means to accomplish that mission.
But we need the proper mindset to succeed.
With so many things vying for our attention these days, it’s easy to get distracted and drawn away into complacency and comfort, and become resistant to change that ignites our spiritual growth.
Habits that hinder spiritual growth:
- Neglect the Bible
- Forsake fellowship with believers
- Worry instead of pray
- Refuse to forgive others
- Chase comfort and entertainment
- Adopt the philosophies and practices of the lost world
- Avoid church attendance
- Refuse discipleship
- Prioritize happiness over holiness
- Envy instead of encouraging others
- Refuse to humble yourself
Those 11 things are sure to stunt your spiritual growth! The devil is working overtime in these last days to keep people in spiritual darkness. We play right into his hand when we have self-focused, comfort-driven priorities in life.
God wants so much more for us!
John 10:10 KJV – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
“The more that God’s Word is removed from our lives, the more inhibited our spiritual progress becomes. Nothing else can do the work that the truth does. There is no sanctifying power in human wisdom, intuition, insight, or experience. It is only in the Word of God. Only the truth revealed in Scripture sanctifies – sound teaching accurately interpreted, understood, and applied. As divine revelation is embraced, spiritual progress is made. There are no alternative routes to godly character and holy living.” ~ John MacArthur
Surefire Ways to Spur on Your Spiritual Growth
2Peter 1:5-7 KJV – And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
There are daily disciplines that are essential to intimacy with Christ and growth in Christ-likeness. They’re things that renew our minds and grow our faith, character, and wisdom. They should be non-negotiables for every Christian.
10 Things that accelerate growing in godliness:
- Study the Bible
- Pray consistently
- Attend church regularly
- Discipleship
- Have fellowship with mature believers
- Abide in Christ
- Apply God’s word
- Ministry
- Be sober-minded
- Walk in the Spirit
- Repentance
2Peter 3:18 KJV – But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The more we know Jesus, the more we’ll be like Him! That’s what spiritual growth is in a nutshell, just becoming more like Jesus and less like the world.
Prayer for spiritual growth
As with anything in life, if you want spiritual growth, then you need to pray for it! (Along with implementing the tips for spiritual growth above.) That prayer could go something like this:
Father in Heaven, thank you for providing me with all I need for life and godliness. You are so good. I pray, Lord, that you would increase my faith, grow my character, and mature me in ministry. Mold me into the image of Christ. Sand down my rough edges. Give me more love for the lost and boldness to proclaim your truth. Grow my knowledge of you, Lord. Reveal yourself to me and help me to rest in you and not resist you. Remove any rebellion in my heart. Multiply my wisdom and willingness to live for you and your glory. I love you, Lord, and I ask these things in the precious and perfect name of Jesus. Amen.
Guage Your Spiritual Growth
In the guest post I wrote for Anne Markey of One Determined Life, I shared some tips for spiritual growth. I offered these questions for self-examination:
- Is there evidence of the Spirit leading your life?
- Are you more discerning and wise than you were a year or two ago?
- Do you pray more than you worry?
- Are you a sober-minded woman, or still ruled by your emotions?
- Do you seek reconciliation in fractured relationships, or let them crumble?
- Is repentance your go-to when confronted about your sin? Or do you blame others, sweep it under the rug, and cover and justify it?
If we want to be fruitful and faithful disciples of Christ, we must take action toward becoming all God wants us to be. Not just for our own good, but so others can find Jesus and flourish in their walk with Him as well.
So let’s commit to praying for spiritual growth, and choosing those things that foster godly character, biblical wisdom, and strong faith. It may be uncomfortable sometimes, but it’ll be worth it in the end when we hear “well done, good and faithful servant”.
Articles About Spiritual Growth:
How to Have Biblical Discernment for Spiritual Growth
10 Key Scriptures for Spiritual Growth (KJV)
3 Reasons Prayer is Essential for Your Spiritual Growth
My Top 10 Resources for Spiritual Growth
Having a Sober Mind for Spiritual Stability
Get a “My Jesus Journal” for Spiritual Growth
I designed a tool to help Christian women to know Jesus more intimately as they read and study the Bible.
My Jesus Journal focuses your time in the word on learning more about the Lord and cultivating a closer relationship with Christ.
Intended to be used alongside your daily Bible reading, My Jesus Journal has space to record the date, the scriptures you read, and lined spaces to write your observations about Jesus you saw in the text. The bottom of that page has a verse from the KJV Bible about Jesus. The next page has space to write prayers related to what you discovered in your reading. There are also extra prayer pages in the back of the book.
My Jesus Journal aids us in our quest to learn and love and know Jesus more deeply.
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I sized My Jesus Journal to fit into your purse, backpack, or diaper bag. You can grow on the go when you use wait times in the Doctor’s office, the carpool line, etc. for Bible study.
My Jesus Journal is extremely affordable, so you can purchase just one for yourself, or consider buying one for your entire ministry! It makes an excellent gift for any Christian woman in your life!
Click on the picture to order today:
Products for Spiritual Growth by Kingdom Bloggers
I have to share some amazing products for spiritual growth with you! LeeAnn Fox at Kingdom Bloggers created digital prayer journals, Bible reading plans, and other beautiful items to help you get organized with your Bible study time. They are incredible! Here’s the link to check them out: Kingdom Bloggers Products
I’m an affiliate marketer, so a portion of the sales will go to help support my own ministry here at Daily His Disciple, but at no extra cost to you!
Are you looking for a guest blogger?
If you need someone to contribute articles to your website, or to collaborate with you on a project, you can view my portfolio and my beliefs to see if I would be a good fit for your readers. If so, please email me at dailyhisdisciple@gmail.com.
My most recent guest posts: 4 Practical Lessons From Anna in the Bible 8 Steps to Spiritual Maturity for Teresa Hodge at Ladies Drawing Nigh and 8 Tips for Spiritual Growth for Anne Markey at One Determined Life
Pray With Confidence
Prayer is an essential element of spiritual growth. If you desire a stronger prayer life, check out Pray With Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors.
Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
I like your nice, succinct lists. I also like that you aren’t afraid to include fellowship and church attendance. As Christians, we need each other more than ever as the day approaches for Jesus’ return. Like Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands in the war with the Amalikites, so should we hold each other up in prayer!
Amen, Sister!