Spiritual Maturity
The Christian Path
From Spiritual Milk to the Fullness of Christ
Salvation is the hardest path to find—for even the Bible says that the righteous are scarcely saved (1 Peter 4:18). Yet once you’ve found that path, walking it becomes the next greatest challenge. When we are first saved, we are like newborns in Christ, drinking spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2). But there comes a time when we must grow and mature, learning to eat solid food (Hebrews 5:14). That’s when faith is truly tested—when the rubber meets the road.
The result of spiritual maturity is bearing the fruit of Christ—becoming like Him in all our ways. This is not something we can produce on our own; it is the work of God within us. Our part is to remain deeply rooted in Christ. Trying to bear fruit apart from Him leads only to empty religion—a life focused on outward appearance rather than inward transformation. Such a life feels like a burdensome duty rather than the natural outflow of a heart connected to God.
How Do We Spiritually Mature?
When we are saved, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit—God’s guarantee and provision for everything we need to become Christ-like. Paul writes, “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Just as alcohol controls a person who is drunk, Paul is urging us to let the Holy Spirit take control of our lives.
How to Give Control to the Holy Spirit
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:1–2).
The Bible calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. This is what it means to die to ourselves daily—to deny the flesh and give no place to its desires. God is calling us to put the flesh to death, refusing to let it rule our thoughts, words, or actions.
Many people begin their walk with God by focusing on what they think He doesn’t want them to do—living by a list of do’s and don’ts. But God doesn’t call us to a life centered on rules; He calls us to a life centered on Him. He wants us to focus on the do’s—to walk in the Spirit, not to negotiate between right and wrong. When we live by the Spirit, there is no debate, for the Spirit leads us into all truth (John 16:13).
Feeding the Spirit
When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I realized I had to give up soda—something I really enjoyed. I switched to diet soda—not that I recommend it, because I later learned how unhealthy it is—but at the time, it seemed like the better option. At first, it tasted terrible, but I stuck with it and eventually grew used to it. Then one day, after a long time without regular soda, I took a sip—and it tasted awful, like pure syrup.
In the same way, the more we feed our spirit, the less appealing the things of the flesh become. Over time, what once tempted us starts to taste bitter, making it natural to turn away from it. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Discipline
Feeding the Spirit requires commitment—it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline—a word few of us like to hear. We must be disciplined in feeding our spirit: spending time in God’s Word, meditating on it, learning from it, and studying it. We must also be disciplined by the Word—submitting to its correction and walking in obedience. It’s not enough to simply hear the Word; we must live it (James 1:22).
This is how we strengthen the Spirit within us—to overcome the flesh and stand firm against the enemy. This is how we run the race, fight the good fight, and store up crowns in Heaven.
To live by the Spirit means to continually nourish it—to seek what pleases the Spirit, to delight in what feeds it, and to give no place for the flesh to take control. Whether we’re watching TV, listening to music, or spending time with others, we shouldn’t ask what our flesh wants, but what our spirit desires. That is how we truly feed the Spirit.
Pruning
As we grow in the Spirit, God refines us further. If we are truly seeking the things of the Spirit and feeding our spirit as we should, we must also allow God to prune us. As our hearts become more aligned with His, He begins to reveal the sins, habits, and attachments that hinder our relationship with Him.
Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). There are many things we must release in order to walk freely and fully with Christ.
Walk by the Spirit
Like small children learning to walk, we too must learn to walk by the Spirit—it’s a step-by-step process. To walk by the Spirit means to live a life guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit rather than by the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:25).
If we fail to keep growing and walking in the Spirit, we risk what I call spiritual atrophy. And when that happens, the flesh quickly regains control.
Abide in Him
To abide in Him means to live in close communion and constant dependence on Jesus Christ through faith, obedience, and love. This involves remaining connected to Him by consistently obeying His commands, spending time in His Word, communicating with Him in prayer, and relying on His power for spiritual strength (John 15:4–5).
It is a living, active relationship—one where we continually draw life, peace, and purpose from Him.
Put Our Faith to the Test
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)
Each day, we must be willing to examine ourselves—to see if our faith is genuine and ready to be tested. Are we growing in Christ? Are we bearing fruit? These questions are not answered in words but proven in the everyday moments of life.
Every second is a test of faithfulness. As the world, walking in darkness, presses and challenges us, what comes out reveals who we are within. If we naturally produce the fruit of Christ under pressure, it shows spiritual maturity. If not, it simply shows where we still need to grow.
Final Thought
Spiritual maturity is not achieved overnight—it’s a lifelong journey of surrender, discipline, and growth. As we feed the Spirit, submit to pruning, walk in step with the Holy Spirit, and abide in Christ, His nature begins to shine through us. The goal is not perfection, but continual transformation, until Christ is fully formed in us (Galatians 4:19).
