Jocelyn recently had a birthday. Over the course of the day, she would say to me, “Mimi, I so proud to be four!” With her cheeks smiling from ear to ear and her eyes glistening, I could see the joy turning four had brought to her heart.
She informed me of certain things which would no longer be a part of what she would do because, “I a big girl now”. Gone were walks with the stroller, her booster seat at the table, and help in the bathroom.
We are to keep consistently growing in our spiritual lives as well. What are to be a few of the signs of our growth?
“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of the his body, the church.”
(Ephesians 4:14-16, NLT)
- We will be grounded. We won’t be tossed around by every wind of new teaching. We will have a good knowledge and understanding of Scripture so as to be able to discern what is false and contrary to Scripture.
- Lies will have no influence in our lives. We will not be swayed by people trying to trick us with their clever lies that sound like the truth. Lies often sound close to the truth as they bear just enough truth in them to be convincing. Paul calls these people “clever”. ‘Clever’ actually came from an old word usage stemming from being dexterous or having a claw hand. It was an old Norse term meaning “easy to split”. Lies can be so close to the truth, they are able to split a person from the truth.
But as we grow up in Christ, our knowledge and understanding of His Word rooted in our hearts and minds, we will grow more and more like Christ.
Christ knew Scripture and refuted the enemy’s lies with the use of Scripture. In so doing, He lived victoriously, fulfilling the Father’s will for His being on this earth. May we be “growing more and more like Christ” each and every day.
Let’s share a Scripture we have used in refuting a lie and help each other to build up an arsenal.
Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday and Me, Coffee & Jesus and #LifeGivingLinkup and Moments of Hope .
I loved this, Joanne! We wouldn’t think of acting like a three-year-old our entire lives, so why do often forget to tend to our spiritual growth!?
Not sure, Anita. I wish I had an answer. A three year old will naturally grow basically if they eat and drink and sleep – if they’re basically taken care of. May our eyes be opened that if we just make an effort and let our heavenly Father take care of us, we will grow without any striving. It will happen in the natural course of things. Thanks for asking such a provoking question!
Love this post! You are so right: we are to always be continually growing as children of God.
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/
And much the way we help our children to grow as parents, our heavenly Father will help us to grow up in Him as well. Blessings!
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with my eye upon you.”
When I feel as if I am afloat, I remember that God is leading – even when I can’t sense the direction.
So very true, Michele. May we remember His eye is always on us. Such an encouraging verse!
I love this! I pray the verse from 1 John about having no greater joy than for my children to walk in truth. I pray that our descendants will have discernment between truth and lies/deception, and that they will choose and walk in truth.
Yes, me too, Elizabeth!!!
I love John 8:32 – You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. And how do we know the truth? We study to show ourselves approved, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15. A workman is someone who puts effort into study.
Love this post on growth!
Jerralea, I love how you brought these two portions of Scripture together. Thank you so much for sharing this with me!
HI Joanne,
Having a plentiful supply of scripture in place as our arsenal is the only way to fight the lies of the enemy! It is the only way to usher in the true hope of Jesus! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this message alongside me at Moments of Hope! I’m honored to have you there sharing the hope of Jesus with all who come!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
It was wonderful to join you, Lori. I found the linkup to be a place to find encouragement and hope. Blessings!