What Is True Spiritual Maturity

Whether we want to or not, we all mature physically. Spiritual maturity, on the other hand, is not assured. While the phrase “spiritual maturity” is most commonly associated with Christianity, the ideas of spiritual maturity may be found in all religious and wisdom traditions. The following are some examples of spiritual maturity:

The progressive development of healthy and life-giving relationships with oneself, others, and the environment.

Most of us want to learn how to relate to ourselves and others in healthy ways so that we can all feel connected, at peace, and happy for a long time. Spiritual maturity is a process that takes time. In order to reap the benefits, it takes intention, time, and work.

Do you have any doubts about what it takes to be spiritually mature? Here are a few indicators that you're on the correct track.

How do you know if you are spiritually mature?

Love isn't something we just offer to other people. Healthy self-love is also a spiritually evolved person's practice.

It implies accepting that having boundaries and limits are acceptable; that it is acceptable to refuse to be treated badly or walked on; and that it is acceptable to prioritize your needs over the wishes and desires of others.

Value correction/training

It is a kindness if the righteous strike (correct) me. It is oil on the head; do not let my head refuse it; for my prayer continues to be against their evil deeds.

• Do I value this kind of correction? This psalmist regarded it as a form of charity, and he saw it as a path to spiritual maturation.
• Do I not just welcome, but actively seek out, criticism? I will never learn without it, and I will remain spiritually immature.

“Getwisdom is the beginning of knowledge!” And while you're at it, learn as much as you can.

Understanding, knowledge, and maturity will come to me as I actively pursue spiritual insight.

• Do I have a clear picture of my future? Then I must actively seek spiritual assistance from God and spiritually inclined friends.

When tests and obstacles come at you from all sides, think of it as a gift. You're well aware that when you're under duress, your faith life is forced into the open and reveals its true colors. As a result, don't try to pull out of anything too soon. Allow it to perform its job so that you grow up to be mature and well-developed, not lacking in any manner.

Do I allow pressure to do its work in order to mature? Or do I usually try to cut it short or leave it too soon?

Fight for it

He grabbed his brother's heel in their mother's womb, and as he grew older, he wrestled with God.

To “struggle to overcome” is to contend. It needs maturity to strive with God and wrestle with Him.

Clean house

So neat and tidy! Remove all hate and pretense, envy, and harsh speech. You've gotten a whiff of God. Drink deeply of God's pure compassion now, as if you were a newborn at the breast. Then you'll mature and be complete in God.

Do I make a complete repentance of my sin? Is it better if I leave the dust and cobwebs behind? If I am to mature and experience God's “pure compassion,” I must be radical in my repentance and change.

• What exactly do I need to “clean up”? What sins do I have in my heart that I haven't confessed?

Don't go it alone

I'm praying not just for them, but also for people who will come to trust in me as a result of their testimony. The goal is for them all to have one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you—so that they can be one heart and mind with us. The world might assume you sent me if that happens. I gave them the same glory you gave me, so they'll be as united and united as we are—I in them, you in me. Then they'll be grown in their oneness, and they'll show the godless world that you sent me and loved them as much as you loved me.

• Do you try to bring your friends and family together? Or do you let unifying sins like jealousy, pride, or bitterness dwell in your heart and relationships?

Stop making it about myself

Why does he endow us with specific qualities that enable us to excel in certain tasks? It is that God's people would be better equipped to accomplish better service for him, strengthening and maturing the Church, the body of Christ;

God equips me with the skills and abilities I need to help his church mature and grow. Is it true that I'm doing my part?

• It isn't simply about me choosing to mature and grow. If I don't grow, my body won't be able to expand.

That is precisely what Jesus accomplished. He didn't make things easy for himself by avoiding other people's problems; instead, he jumped right in and offered assistance. According to Scripture, “I took on the afflictions of the disturbed.” Even if it was written thousands of years ago in Scripture, you can be sure it was written for us. God wants the combination of his ongoing calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to become a part of our identity, putting us on the lookout for what he will do next. May our dependable, warmly personal God help you mature so that you can get along with one another as well as Jesus does with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not just our voices, but our entire lives singing in unison in a magnificent anthem to our Master Jesus' God and Father!

Do I take on other people's problems or do I try to make my own life easier? God is maturing me so that I might assist others.

• Because he recognized that his life was broader than himself, Jesus did not make things simple for himself. If I make the maturation process all about me and don't see the need for me to “walk in and help out,” I'll just take shortcuts and make things easier on myself.
• Is it true that I use shortcuts? Then I have to decide whether I'm living for myself or for others.

What are the benefits of spiritual maturity?

Spiritual development improves our ability to deal with life's ups and downs and recover from adversity. It's all too easy to judge and criticize others, but as we grow spiritually, we discover how much healthier it is to build compassion and empathy for others.

What is the true quality of a spiritual person?

One of the issues with persons who are deafeningly deafeningly de “They frequently get disconnected when they “tune out” and think of spiritual life as an escape from daily life.

They are constantly in a state of hyper-positivity “They become so engrossed in their “happiness” that they lose touch with their surroundings and the realities of daily life. This is a major threat posed by the spiritual ego.

And it's something that a sincere spiritual seeker has overcome on their path.

Alternatively, you might enjoy the power of laughing by playing a fun board game with your family.

They respect the different religious and spiritual views of those around them

One of the hallmarks of a spiritual person is that they allow others the space and respect to go through their own religious and spiritual evolutions and to follow their own path.

Genuine spirituality does not seek out “gotcha” debates or the desire to be “correct” and prove others wrong.

They acknowledge that others may hold solid beliefs in a particular religion or spiritual path, and the spiritual person strives to learn as much as possible from that path.

The spiritual person does not keep track of his or her accomplishments. They don't mind if people live their truth as long as it isn't actively destructive to them.

They've gotten over their inexperienced spiritual ego's need to convert and persuade everyone around them.

“I used to think that anyone who didn't ‘get it' was an idiot when I was following the Law of Attraction and Abraham Hicks' teachings religiously. In my convictions, I became evangelical. I didn't doubt the truth of what I was stating at the time. I was so certain I was correct. It takes a shift of perspective to let go of the teachings and recognize that there are alternative paths that are equally acceptable.”

They're humble and open to learning and new experiences

They enjoy assisting others and making a difference, but not for personal gain. They don't over-promise and under-deliver; instead, they accept each circumstance as it is and plan for the future with practical common sense and cautious optimism.

Being spiritual in the true sense entails being humble. Not in being afraid of our strength or ashamed of it, but in owning our power and connection to the land.

“If we take a closer look at the word, we can see that the Latin root humilis originates from the word humus, which means earth. The humble person is one who keeps his feet on the ground and retains contact with the land, with reality. He will not be fooled by Pindaric flights of the imagination, which are typically propelled by unresolved unconscious hurts, if he remembers his own roots.”

They're done with pointing fingers and stirring up conflict

The notion that a spiritual person is always a warm and fuzzy bundle of delight is absurd.

It's frequently promoted by New Age groups “People who believe in the “Law of Attraction” yet are unaware of the negative aspects of positive thinking.

It's also a little sad because there's so much promise for transformation in sadness, fury, and anxiety, but when you repress it, you lose that opportunity.

That isn't to say they are never angry or depressed. It implies that they don't “get off” on other people's drama, gossip, or disputes. And assigning blame or pointing fingers no longer feels like anything other than a sign of weakness.

It simply exhausts them because they recognize how pointless and depleting it all is. As a result, they leave.

It doesn't mean that nothing reaches the spiritual person; it just means that they are no longer caught up in the day-to-day drama that may entangle so many of us.

How do you recognize a spiritual person?

The first evidence of a spiritual person is their lack of fear. When you have a fear or a chronic worry, that fear takes over your life and you are unable to be in the present moment. Fear of public speaking, fear of heights, and fear of bugs are the three most common fears among Americans. Many people, however, are terrified of death, rejection, loneliness, failure, illness, or making poor judgments. Spiritual people understand how to yield to forces beyond their control. In this way, they are similar to children in that they know how to ignore their minds and live fearlessly.

What is growing spiritually?

1. Become a river rather than a swamp.

“Rivers of life water will flow from the hearts of those who trust in me,” the Bible promises (John 7:38, margin).

* Because it rushes out, it is the mountain stream that carries fresh, life-giving water. The swamp, on the other hand, is sluggish and lifeless. A marsh absorbs and holds water that falls into its path. Don't be one of those people who tries to accumulate a lot before letting a little go.

We are to allow blessings to flow through us and on to others as Christians. We run the risk of becoming spiritually stagnant, emotionally disconnected, and intellectually cynical if we stockpile and block the benefits in our life. Make the decision to burst the dam and let blessings flow freely like a river. The flow of freshness is in full swing.

2. Recognize your blessings.

Too often, we go through life ignorant to the blessings that come our way. For one week, try this spiritual exercise: Identify a blessing you received from a family member at the end of the first day. A benediction from a neighbor at the end of the second day. From a friend on the third day. From a coworker on the fourth day. A stranger on the fifth day. From a youngster on the sixth day. On the seventh day, a “enemy” bestowed a blessing.

3. Speak blessing words like Moses did.

These words of blessing delivered by Moses are found in one of the Bible's most beautiful and compassionate passages:

Make use of your imagination when it comes to language, and use things that will uplift, encourage, hearten, and bless others. Your own spirit will grow stronger as you help them.

4. Encourage a communal prayer life.

By praying with others, you can increase the amount of time you spend praying. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including:

5. Take a risky step.

Taking a leap of faith from time to time is necessary for spiritual growth. Why not follow God's example and let the plan evolve instead of attempting to get everything in order before you start something important? This entails taking a leap of faith and trusting God to provide whatever resources are required for achievement.

6. Help someone regain their faith.

Make time today to mend a broken heart, show kindness to someone who really needs a friend, or assist in the reassembling of a shattered dream. Do everything you can today to spread God's unconditional love.

7. Practice gratitude.

Begin each day with a gratitude prayer to God for the gift of a new day. Even if the day ahead appears bleak, do this. Finish each day with an evening prayer of thanksgiving to God for the blessings of the previous hours. Even if you've had a really trying day, do this.

8. Tell others about your journey.

Make a connection with someone else who is looking to improve spiritually. Agree to meet for a period of time once a week to study and reflect on spiritual subjects. My friend, a busy executive in Toronto, Ontario, met with another man for six months to undertake Bible study. “We always met each week during our lunch hour at a downtown church that kindly provided us with a room for our meeting, no matter how hectic our schedules were.” “Those were fruitful months, with a lot of spiritual growth,” he recalls.

9. Put the food on the table.

Look for opportunities to help the community, particularly chores that have no monetary return, such as picking up trash on the streets. Read John 13:1-5 and think about what Jesus did.

10. Develop a sense of solitude.

“Solitude makes us harsher on ourselves and tenderer on others; it enhances our character in both ways,” wrote Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Take a break from the crowds and the din of daily life. Allow yourself a few minutes to be alone with God. In silence, we move our attention away from the troubles of life and toward the mind of God.

11. Pray and fast.

People in the Bible frequently combined prayer and fasting. “So we fasted and diligently prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our request,” Ezra 8:23 says. Consider combining your praying with some fasting the next time you're requested to pray urgently for someone in need.

12. Give your troubles to God.

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you,” the Bible says plainly (Psalm 55:22). Do this whenever a worry arises.

13. Carry love with you everywhere you go.

“Spread love everywhere you go: First and foremost in your own house,” Mother Teresa of Calcutta counseled. Allow no one to come to you who does not leave better and happier. Be a living reflection of God's compassion, with kindness on your face, in your eyes, in your smile, and in your warm greeting.”

14. Make sure your priorities are in order.

Determine what is most important and what is not. Consider former President George W. Bush's words: “I have been blessed with a tight and lovely family, and I want to spend the remainder of my life letting them know how much I love and appreciate them.” “Being a tremendous success in the grandfather business is one of my most important accomplishments, which I am continuously working on. I'd wish to be known for my honesty, service, and love for my family.”

15. Strive to be the best you can be.

“Do properly whatever you do,” the Bible says (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Be the best version of yourself in whatever stage of life God put you in.

16. If you don't use it, you'll lose it.

God has blessed each of us with special abilities and gifts. If you don't utilize them, you might as well throw them away. Sir Edwin Arnold, a seventeenth-century poet, said, “Use your gifts faithfully, and they will be broadened; exercise what you know, and you will rise to better knowledge.”

17. Take time to reflect on the Bible.

Comforting, encouraging, and wise verses abound in the Bible. Make it a habit to read and study the Bible on a consistent and disciplined basis. Make a note of the verses that speak to you. Think about those words. Some of the sections should be memorized so that you can recollect them later.

18. You must be dependable.

Whether it's convenient or not, do what you say you'll do. Keep your word on all of your commitments, big and small. Demonstrate to them that you can be trusted and relied upon by your conduct.

19. Pray for God to bless you today.

Asking God to convert your life into a blessing is a terrific approach to grow in surprise and awe. Do this every morning before getting back to your normal routine. Offer a brief, simple prayer, such as this one: “Dear God, make my life a blessing to someone, someplace today.” Then pay special attention to everyone you meet throughout the day, for God will answer your prayer in unexpected ways.

20. Go for a walk in the woods.

The psalm authors did this, and they learned spiritual teachings from their time in the woods. “The heavens declare God's grandeur.” His magnificent artistry can be seen in the heavens” (Psalm 19:1). “What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?” “When I gaze up at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have set in place—what are mortals that you should think of us, simple humans that you should care for us?” Psalm 8:3,4 is a verse from the book of Psalms. “The mountains rose and the lowlands fell to the levels you set. Then you established a firm maritime barrier, ensuring that the waters would never again overrun the world” (Psalm 104:8, 9).

21. Make use of your freedom of choice.

You always have the option to choose, no matter what happens to you. You have the option of choosing joy over misery. You have the option of choosing love over hatred. You have the option of choosing forgiveness over vengeance. You have the option of choosing growth over stagnation. Keep in mind that a crisis can bring out the best or worst in us. It is up to us to make the decision!

What does it mean to be spiritually mature in the Bible?

Paul frequently employs the word teleios (which can be interpreted as spiritual maturity) when discussing spiritual maturity “Perfect,” “Complete,” or “Maturity”). Paul longs for, in Ephesians 4:13, “attain to the oneness of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the full stature of Christ.” Spiritual maturity, on the other hand, is not only an individual aim in the letter to the Ephesians, but a goal for the entire body of Christ. In his book Aiming at Maturity: The Goal of the Christian Life, Stephen Rankin defines “a spiritually mature Christian whose entire personality, including dispositions, words, and deeds, resembles that of Jesus Christ.” Paul exhorts the Ephesus church in Ephesians 5:1-2 to “As beloved children, imitate God and walk in love, just as Christ loved and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” As they strive to mimic God and live out Christ's love, all Christians should strive for spiritual growth.

I've been the pastor of the Mooreville United Methodist Charge, a combination of three tiny, rural churches in Lee County, Mississippi, since June of 2016. The congregations are largely elderly folks, while two of the churches include a few young families. The ethnic makeup is Caucasian, which closely resembles Mooreville's community. The churches share a pastor and a few ministries, such as the children and youth program and the United Methodist Women.

How many types of spiritual growth are there?

There are four factors to keep in mind when addressing the dynamic of the spiritual life, according to a recent webinar on the Stages of Spiritual Growth and Freedom. She connected these ideas to one's personal growth, as well as how spiritual direction might help with this.

The Definition of the Human Person

Victoria led guests through a synthesis of Catholic teachings on the human person, beginning with an introduction to anthropology anchored on Scripture and Church Tradition. “Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness,” says Genesis 1:26. Man is created “Imago Dei,” in the image and likeness of God. The fact that we were made in the image and likeness of God, who is a communion of people in the Holy Trinity, is the foundation of our fundamental dignity as human beings. We are earthy creatures (i.e., we have a physical body) with a spiritual nature, implying that we were created for something more than this life. Indeed, we were created for someone greater than this life, God himself. We were made to have relationships with God and our fellow humans.

Dynamism of Holiness

In light of this anthropology, Victoria described how attaining divine beatitude, or eternal existence with God in paradise, fulfills our dignity as human beings. We are on a dynamic, though gradual, path toward relationship with God as we go through life. Victoria described how the people of the Old Testament, as well as many figures from the Gospels, experienced the journey to God in stages, based on the Scriptures. God gradually exposes himself to the people of Israel throughout redemption history, and finally fully in the Incarnation of his Son, Jesus Christ. God exposes himself to us in prayer and in our response to his grace using the same approach. Our journey to holiness is a long one, made possible solely by God's grace.

Spiritual Growth and Progression

The purgative stage, the illuminative stage, and the unitive stage are the three stages of development that make up this steady expansion. While not entirely linear, these stages tend to reflect the stages of human development: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In the purgative stage, a person goes through his or her initial conversion and reacts to grace by turning away from sin and pursuing virtue. A condition of remembrance is included in the illuminative stage. In fact, “recollection,” or “continuous attention of the mind and emotions of the heart to thoughts and sentiments that elevate the soul to God,” is “the primary virtue of this state.” At this point, one begins to adopt Jesus Christ's thoughts and heart. Finally, the unitive stage is characterized by a person's experience of oneness with God through love, as well as the real experience and exercise of that love. Here, prayer takes on a more meditative tone, while virtue takes on a more mature, even heroic quality. St. Maximilian Kolbe, who gave his life for another prisoner during the Holocaust, is an example of this stage. He did so with heroism, courage, and peace, as well as humility and humility, demonstrating a high level of holiness and spiritual development.

The Role and Application of Spiritual Direction

A spiritual director can be beneficial and perhaps necessary at each of these levels to support one's spiritual progress. A director can be a source of inspiration in the purgative stage, encouraging the directee to take active steps away from sin and toward virtue. A director can assist you in seeing and identifying God's hand in your life during the illuminative period. Finally, at the unitive stage, the director can assist the directee in identifying growth nuances and staying on track.

Spiritual direction is an invaluable gift in the growth of one's spiritual life. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a spiritual director, the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program provides a combination of theological and human sciences as they apply to spiritual direction, as well as acquiring the art and skills of human interactions and supervision. Six online seminars, two four-day onsite residencies, and a practicum are included in the curriculum.

What is the difference between the body the soul and the spirit?

It refers to the element of a person's personality that interacts with and communicates with God. Our spirit is distinguished from our soul in that our spirit is constantly directed toward God and exists solely for Him, but our soul might be self-centered. Only our spirit can experience the joy, warmth, and tranquility of God's presence.