ICS Daily Devotions
Choose to Grow Spiritually

There are a few reasons why people abandon their belief.

1) Problems
Luke 22:31 (NKJV) “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”

2) False Doctrine
Hebrews 13:9 (NKJV) “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.”

3) The good life
Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV) “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

4) Sin
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NKJV) “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

When Christians do not grow spiritually,

1) There is none to restore
Galatians 6:1 (NKJV) “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

2) They will bear no fruit or bad fruit
Romans 7:5 (NKJV) “For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.”

3) They will be lacking something
James 1:4 (NKJV) “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

4) They will miss out on God’s wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 (NKJV) “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

5) Their witness and harvest will be affected
Romans 2:23-24 (NKJV) “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,”[a] as it is written.”

6) They will lack discernment
Hebrews 5:14 (NKJV) “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

7) They will have all manner of evil
James 3:16 (NKJV) “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

On the other hand, when we grow,

1) We have the fruit of the spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

2) We will have grace
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV) “ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

3) And we will have knowledge
2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Sermon Series: Growing up Spiritually