In our spiritual walk with the Lord, there are five SURE things that no amount of secrecy, posturing or spiritual gifts can hide. By uncovering these things, we can accept them for what they are and posture ourselves to grow and develop in a healthy manner.
YOU CANNOT HIDE:
SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY. No matter how great the prayer, prophetic word, the works, the exuberance for the Lord or how profound the revelation, none of these things indicate spiritual maturity in and of themselves.
Spiritual maturity can be defined as living life in Godly wisdom with adequate self control over one’s mind, will and emotions as defined in scripture.
Spiritual MATURITY is NOT profound knowledge of the word, revelation or the mastery gifts. IT IS living in and living out one’s RESPONSE to life with the heart of the Lord and His mind.
It’s CHRIST OVER the will, mind and emotions.
The truth of maturity can be found in answers to questions like this: How do you consistently respond in controversial situations? How do you respond when angry, upset? How do you act when things don’t go your way? How well do you consider the needs of your spouse, family, friends or strangers? Are you conscious of your conduct? Are you concerned with how your individual actions affect others? Is your life sacrificial? Can we process conversations and interactions with others appropriately? Can we rightly discern conversation and confrontations of value over what is petty and of no effect?
The most important part of our journey as sons is growing into likeness and image “everyday.” We should be able to look at ourselves in a mirror today AND SEE a new man in comparison with the one we saw in that mirror last year.
Every day, we mature more and greater IF we are pursuing full measure and not just gifts, favor and all the other things kept in the Lord’s open hands.
Speaking maturely and being mature can be opposing forces in our lives. Many people know what to say, but often their responses to situations and circumstances indicate the exact opposite.
Scripture teaches us to observe actions…. not words. Actions represent “the position” of the heart. Words alone can lie to us. Hello Theresa!
When real maturity presents itself, “especially in its social contexts,” maturity or the lack of it WILL BE revealed. TIME AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING is the primary indicator of this truth. Hang around a person long enough AND THEY WILL REVEAL THEIR MATURITY LEVEL.
Solutions to obtain maturity: In scripture, we are often admonished to examine, rightly consider and crucify the flesh into the obedience of Christ. We are admonished to consistently train our spirit. We are told to “learn from Christ” in adverse situations to initiate deeper spiritual, personal growth and development… daily.
We are reminded that EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME!
This, however, doesn’t come by osmosis… or magic as some see the Lord. It comes by intentionality… but by deliberate choices, final decisions to grow… and the force of the Spirit working within us. It comes by laying down what is essential to our own will and growing to love the will of God …..stretching and building HIS TRUTH within us.
Immaturity cannot HIDE! Impossible!!! It always reveals itself before the Lord and people. True Sonship… is the Sonship that matures not just clings to gifts and idols.
People can bear fruit and be totally immature of heart.
Jer 12:2, “You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips BUT FAR FROM their hearts.”
Real maturity is a heart turning issue. YOU CANNOT HIDE SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY OR SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
Heb 6:1, 1 Sam 2:26, Luke 8:14-15
