A Picture of Spiritual Maturity
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
As Christians, we should take responsibility for our spiritual growth and strive to grow in Christlikeness. What does spiritual growth look like after receiving the teaching of the Word?
As single adults who are spiritually mature, we should keep the marriage bed pure and avoid fornication, choose not to cohabit, or be unequally yoked with unbelievers. If you are in a dating relationship, you can reconcile after an argument. Take time to discuss Bible-based teachings on topics such as the definition of marriage, roles, responsibilities, and expectations, because if you are spiritually mature, you will want a Christ-centred marriage.
As married couples, we understand that marriage is a covenant, and not a contract between two people. Therefore, we will extend grace to each other because we are one flesh; lay down our rights, privileges, conditions, and escape clauses and work through our differences with the love of God. Instead of devouring or hurting each other by word or by action, we forgive just as Christ has forgiven us. A spiritually mature couple will draw closer to each other as they both draw closer to God and gain a better understanding of His Word.
Parents cannot expect their children to be godly and obedient if they don’t advocate the importance of worship and God’s Word in their lives. Our children and we are bombarded daily with the world’s values and principles. The world wants us to conform to its standards, but God wants us to be consecrated and live transformed lives. Therefore, it is necessary to have the correct teaching to renew the mind, and to have the Word in our lives, because as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We are primarily products of our thought lives. If our minds are renewed that we are new creations, have the nature of God and are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will walk in the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. We need to be examples to our children, just like Paul said to follow him, and he followed Christ. If Jesus, who is our model, was interested in spiritual matters at age 12 (Luke 2:41-46), we should take this seriously and raise our children in the ways of the Lord by prioritising their spiritual growth!
Applying the Word of God in our lives enables us to grow spiritually, but we must also rein in the flesh to live a transformed life. Therefore, choose to walk in love despite differences in opinions and perspectives. Spiritual maturity is measured by how well we control the flesh that seeks to live apart from God and instead walk in the Spirit, which involves yielding to the Lordship of Christ.
Sermon Series: Christmas 2025
