4 Steps to Becoming a Mature Christian
What does it mean to be a mature Christian? Does it happen simply because you’ve been a believer for a certain length of time? No, maturity just doesn’t happen; rather, it is a choice. It takes a quality decision to pursue the things of God and “grow up” in them. If you would like to become more mature in your faith, here are four steps to put into practice.
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Step 1: Mature by Focusing on the Word
There is no way to mature as a believer without the Word of God. “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness” (1 Peter 2:2-3). It is only by the Word, or as you “crave pure spiritual milk,” that you can grow, or enjoy “a full experience of salvation.” This means not only reading and studying the Word but also speaking and hearing it, too (Ephesians 4:15).
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Step 2: Mature With Love
As you spend time reading and studying the Bible and begin to act on what you learn, you begin to approach situations in your life with more wisdom. This is essential as you begin to pursue a deeper spiritual walk The fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) become more prevalent than worldly responses like jealously, strife and anger (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
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Step 3: Mature as a Body
We live in an individualistic world, but the Body of Christ doesn’t work that way. It is necessary that you belong to a body of believers, or a church. Yes, you can grow as an individual, but true maturity comes when you interact with other believers and are part of building one another up (Romans 15:1-7).
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Step 4: Decide to Mature
The Apostle Paul spoke of his own spiritual growth when he said, “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Like we’ve already discussed, maturity is a decision. If you have decided that you want to pursue the things of God, grow your faith, and walk in a way that is worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice, not for your own selfish gain, but for Him, then you will mature. Yes, you will make mistakes and stumble, but God is not looking for perfection, He is looking for a willingness to love and serve Him.
Just read this beautiful promise: “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right” (Psalm 84:11). If you desire to follow Him with your whole heart and live in a way that honours Him, then He won’t withhold it from you. You will increasingly become the mature Christian you desire to be, and the Lord will be able to use you for His glory more and more!