Conditions for growth

Job 8:11: “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can

reeds flourish where there is no water?”

Growth is not inevitable. In the above verse, the marsh and water serve as basis/condition or growth. In our own spiritual life, the word of God, exercising yourself to righteousness, maintaining a walk with God, aid spiritual growth. Also inclusive is fellowship with other believers (Heb 10:24-25).

Fellowship involves all manners of “inconveniences”: spending time, energy and resources. However it provides the spiritual environment for growth and your spiritual environment helps to determine how you would grow.

How far along are you in spiritual growth? What kinds of conditions do you recognise that constitute a drawback to your spiritual growth? Surely, you don’t want to waste time, so that when you are supposed to become teachers you are still being spoon-fed, perpetually remaining an infant (Heb 5:12-14), not willing to stand on your two feet, spiritually-speaking.

Another condition for growth that all other conditions depend on is “hunger” (Matt 5:6, 1Pet 2:2). To lose appetite in spiritual things is a prerequisite for stunted growth. Just as losing your physical appetite is not a palatable condition for physical growth so also is spiritual appetite for spiritual growth. With hunger and thirst you will not complain about how pastors are these days since you are pursuing God yourself, through reading and studying the scriptures which you do not need anyone’s permission to do. People don’t worry about a child with vibrant appetite but they start to worry otherwise.

Question: What if one’s problem has is the lack of appetite, what should be done? Post answers to Comments to help others.

Prayer activity: lord increase my spiritual capacity and my hunger for you.

Tomorrow’s topic: The sureness of scriptures

 

Related articles

• Spiritual Maturity and its Importance (acts29.org)

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