Becoming Spiritually Mature

Ephesians 4:13-16 “13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Father, I ask that our ears, hearts and minds are open to you today as you share a fresh word with us. Let us see you speaking directly to us in this text as we dive into your call to live a unified and spiritually mature life. Guide us in the way to go and thank you in advance for your grace when we stumble and fall in hurt and confusion. Thank you for loving us in our brokenness. We are nothing without you.

We start with the end of the thought began in verse 11. God gave people certain gifts to prepare us for service so we can be built up in unity and spiritual maturity. Picking up there, God intended for you to be built up and taught unity as a body of believers and growing from spiritual infants into spiritually mature believers. At that point, we will have successfully reached the fullness of Christ.

Now, it may feel like we’re repeating ourselves here, but that’s because Paul wants us to know just how important this is. If something is repeated multiple times in the Bible or our lives, we need to really pay attention. My rule of thumb, if it’s repeated three times - listen up!

The reason becoming spiritually mature in all aspects (verse 15) is important is listed in verse 14. As infants, we are weak, naïve and too trusting. We are easily led astray into danger by shiny things that we curiously desire. At this stage, Paul says we can be “tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (verse 14).

We need to become mature in all aspects so we can stand firm in the truth of who we know God to be and who he has created us to be.

One of the marks of becoming mature is “speaking the truth in love” (verse 15). This is an important and difficult practice. First, we must know the truth by studying God’s word and his character. Then we must speak it in love. That doesn’t mean calling out someone’s mistake in front of a crowd or on social media or sharing their faults behind their backs with friends.

We must go directly to them, remembering we are one body of Christ aiming to work together for God, and point out kindly where you see the truth to be contrary to what they’ve said or done.

This is a delicate process and requires prayer, time and fore-thought. Please don't rush in with self-righteousness and tell them how they’re sinning. You’re guaranteed to do more harm than good. Remember that God is sovereign and able to bring his people back from anything should they choose to follow him. It is not our job to save people, but rather be a vessel of truth. Trust Him to guide your approach.

My final thought for today is the picture of how each person serves as an individual part that is necessary for the body of Christ to properly function. When we grow stronger in our spiritual maturity because we love God and love others, the whole-body benefits.

Sisters, we are a part of a bigger body, a bigger story than just our own. What we do affects the body of Christ and those around us. And that’s a beautiful thing, although to be honest, sometimes I rail against that idea. I don’t want that responsibility or burden on my rough days. I want to be able to do my own thing, my own way and not worry about anyone else.

When I realize I’m feeling that way there are a few things I do to take my thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and turn them around.

1 – Play worship music 2 – Pray & confess my ugly thoughts; sharing my frustrations 3 – Pray for a renewed view of things 4 – Read verses that get my hopes up in God 5 – Smile and take deep breaths 6 – Reflect on the situation with my husband or a trusted friend to clear my head

There is difficulty, strength and beauty to be found in working towards spiritual maturity, unity and learning to speak the truth in love. You don’t have to get it perfect, and it cannot happen overnight. It’s a slow buildup of daily effort.

So, take a step today, dissect today’s passage in Ephesians and remind yourself of the truths there. What more do you see? Share it with a friend that comes to mind. Practice sharing that truth in love.

Rooting for you friends, Marcie D.