Five Telltale Signs Of Spiritual Development
Just as you can tell that Christian is stagnated in their faith walk with God, there are also signs to indicate that a believer is experiencing spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth entails becoming more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, words, actions, and even service to God and man. However, this phase of our faith journey begins with placing total faith and trust in Jesus. And with the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s word, there are changes.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV
Notice that spiritual growth begins once you accept Christ. Repentance happens and there is an indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps our sinful nature give way for new life in Christ and enables us to become more and more like Jesus. Essentially, the Holy Spirit is a key element in experiencing spiritual advancement.
Furthermore, spiritual growth is a continuous process that is dependent on a true and deep relationship with our Heavenly Father. You seek to do His will, walk in the Spirit, study and apply His word, and lean on Him for wisdom concerning the areas He desires us to grow in.
And in due time, there will be proof of your progress on this transformative journey with God.
In case you are looking to identifying spiritual growth in yourself, here are five telltale signs of spiritual growth:
- You recieve and give grace freely: Often, spiritual maturity displays itself in your ability to live in the grace of God. Here, you are aware that you do not deserve anything you get from God. Yet, you are grateful for everything, still. And as a result, you endeavor to extend this grace to the people around you. In other words, your willingness to give freely as you receive, is a major proof of your spiritual advancement.
- Your thoughts and words are transformed: A way to ascertain your growth in God is through your words/thoughts. When spiritual growth takes place, you words and thoughts change. In scenarios where you would have said negative or derogatory words, you realize that you now speak words of life and power. Hence, through your words, people can tell that God is at work in you.
- You accept God’s love unconditionally: The human nature is unreceptive to unconditional love. We are more inclined to toxicity. God’s transformative power is evident in your willingness to accept God’s love unconditionally. In this case, it is not your human nature that is receptive to God’s love. But His Spirit at work in you. In essence, if you want to bear godly fruits, recieving His love sets the tone.
- You are confident in what His Word says about you: Faith and total dependence on God signals growth. Growth is when the bad news or circumstance does not deter your faith. Consequently, rather than panicking or fretting, you are confident in what He says in His Word about you. And in a matter of time, there is a manifestation.
- You are actively moving away from sin: God detests sin. You cannot say that you are nurturing a relationship with Jesus and still engage in sin, fully. It does not work that way. To experience exponential improvement in your walk with God, sin will have to take the back seat.
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