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Christian Maturity
Determining
Your Level of Growth And Effectiveness
Scripture recognizes
three levels of Christian maturity, though there is bound to be some degree of overlap
between these areas:
Gifts For Growth
There is nothing to
help speed a task to completion like having the right tools for the job.
God has given us
gifts for the purpose of growing and maturing.
It is to our advantage not to neglect
making use of these gifts.
Characteristics of
Children
Innocence
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ignorance
Everything goes into
the mouth.
They need to try
everything.
They need protection
from hurtful things; wrong seeds.
Teach us what we
shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Job 37:19
Irritability
They desire to be the
center of the universe.
If things do not go
their way, they are ready to leave the church.
Self-pleasers
Very concerned about
what others think of them.
Selfish
Spasmodic
They do things in
fits and starts.
They swing from one
extreme to another.
Always judge God and
his word (perhaps even you) according to circumstances.
Unreliable
Not prone to see
things through.
Lack of consistency
and resolve.
- Start with enthusiasm, but soon fade out.
- A natural stage of growth.
Impulsive
They do not think
things through.
This is a stage of
boldly declaring, “God told me to this or that!”
- A week later, when asked why they are no longer doing this or that,
“It was only for a season!”
Luke 14:28
Curiosity
Fifty-three questions
in 10 minutes.
And they do not
listen to the answers.
- They know so little, yet desire to know so much.
They lack the ability to receive an
explanation.
Curiosity is very
dangerous if not directed properly.
Impressionable
Children should not
stay in the presence of ungodly men.
Characteristics of
Young Men
Adolescence
A very difficult
stage of life, both naturally and spiritually.
- Neither child not adult.
- More is expected of them than they are willing to give.
- Less is given to them than they desire.
It is a period of going from:
1. What you have
learned to actually doing it.
2. Someone caring for
you to being accountable and responsible for yourself.
3. Learning to take
sound advice that is contrary to your plans or wishes.
They have a plethora
of theory, but many problems practically:
- Getting someone saved.
- Filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Praying for people.
Rebelliousness
They know better than
their parents/teachers.
No doubt but ye
are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. Job 12:2
Tantrums are the
order of the day.
Self-centered excuses
for irrational behavior.
Developmentally Delayed
Fortunately, not all
go through this stage.
The developmentally
delayed individual never becomes independent.
He is always a burden
to family and always requires more time and effort than other children.
Christians land here
too frequently.
- “Tried it; it did not work.”
- Bitterness
- Backbiting
- Envy
- Unforgiving
- Mental assent
Mental
Assent
Mental assent is that condition whereby a person has
knowledge about the Bible, knows what it says, claims to believe it, but never acts on
anything in a Biblical manner.
Mental assent says,
“I acknowledge that to be true, but not for me.”
Characteristics of
Fatherhood
Looks Out For Others
A
father/mother/parent has made a commitment to be responsible for the lives of others.
Self-discipline
For ultimate
obedience, spirit, soul, and body must be in unity with God’s word.
- 1 Corinthians 6:15-20
- Romans 8:1
You cannot claim the first part of this
verse if you are not observing the second part.
Signs of Maturity
Just because a little
girl puts on hers mother’s clothes does not make her a mother.
Just because we have
a big Bible, pray in tongues, and go to church every Sunday does not mean we are
mature.
Counterfeit Maturity
Or the unsanctified
ego.
People try to impress
you with their spirituality.
- They are looking for the praise of men and not of God.
Discipline, if received, results in
growth.
The way of a fool
is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs
12:15
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