ICS Daily Devotions
Growing Up Spiritually
There are different stages of spiritual growth.
The first is “babyhood” consisting of innocence, ignorance, and irritability.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (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?
The second stage is “childhood” consisting of unsteadiness, curiosity and talkativeness. People who go around talking too much are usually guilty of evil, vain or foolish talk.
Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Finally, there is “manhood” where there is maturity.
1 Corinthians 14:20 (NKJV) Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
We grow by having the right diet, exercise and rest.
Having the right diet means meditating on the Word. We have to constantly feed on the Word (i.e. the truth and life) which will strengthen our Spirit and enable us to take control of our mind and our body.
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
John 6:63 (NKJV) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
How do we exercise?
1) We exercise by being doers of the Word.
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
2) We have to give the Word first priority in our lives. God’s Word will become our inward nature and the Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance the Word that is already in us.
Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
3) Exercising your Spirit Man by praying in the spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
4) We have to obey the voice of our Spirit. The human spirit has a voice (i.e. guidance, intuition, inward voice or conscience). The Holy Spirit is our Helper.
John 16:13 (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Finally, we also need rest, knowing that He is in us and we just have to yield to Him.
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
The Holy Spirit is our teacher. It is important to sit under the teaching of a teacher by reading and hearing. Teaching will also form and strengthen our belief and will help us grow roots which are solidly grounded so that we will not fall during the storms in life.
Sermon Series: Growing up Spiritually
