Spiritual Growth, Eph.4:11-16.                continuation
Having talked about the need to grow spiritually we also need to look at the issue of recognizing the lack of growth in our lives. The Apostle Paul dealt with this problem in Heb. 5:12-14.
Should we be concerned about the lack of spiritual growth in the life of a believer or in a Church? Should we identify it and do something about it or simply ignore it? The answer to these questions is a firm- YES, we can not ignore it.
How do we identify the lack of Spiritual Growth? From the verses in Hebrews we see that the lack of growth is due to an inability to feed on the Word of God and instead depending on other things for Spiritual Food, really spiritual junk food.
If you have been a Christian for five years or more, you should be able to open your Bible and explore the basic truths of the Word. Whats more, you should be able to share these truths with other people. Concerning this problem, the writer to the Hebrews goes on to say that these believers cannot discern between right or wrong because of their immaturity. Instead of becoming teachers they still need to be taught.
What do we mean by lack of discernment? The inability to clearly see the difference between bad and good or the difference between what is genuine and false regarding Spiritual truth in the Bible. How will we be able to instruct others if we ourselves are not sure about what the Bible teaches?
Heb.6:1-2, enumerates another mark of Spiritual Immaturity. It is the preoccupation with First Principles in the Christian Faith and an unwillingness to move on to deeper things.
What are the First Principles? Repentance, Faith toward God, Baptism, Laying on of hands, Resurrection from the dead, the coming judgement. If we put these subjects in groups we see that they are: How to be saved-How the Church runs-God's future judgement.
The amazing thing is that these subjects are termed as 'Milk' and not solid food. If we are to grow in the Faith and mature as Christians we need Solid Food.                        End.

Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16.                    continuation
Do the Scriptures speak to encourage us to grow spiritually or is it left to our own devices to do so?
About a dozen references in the New Testament alone testify to the fact that it is God's will and desire for us to grow spiritually and not to do so would be against God's will. In 2 Pet.3:14-18, we are told to GROW in God's Grace and Knowledge. For Spiritual Growth to take place in our lives we need Grace and the true Knowledge of God. What sort of Grace and what kind of Knowledge?
Grace-Unmerited Favour. We are saved by Grace. We do not deserve it. God simply loved us and saved us from Eternal Hell.
We are, therefore, to grow spiritually in this undeserved Grace of God, not by our own efforts, goodness, good works, etc., but by allowing God's love to lift us out of sin and enrich us spiritually. Peter stresses the fact that we are to grow 'in Grace', not into Grace.
God lifts us from the soil of sin and transplants us into the soil of His Grace. We grow by remaining and functioning in His soil of grace. We do not grow by projecting ourselves into God's Grace. We are not the ones to do it or achieve it. We Grow by already being in the soil of Grace.
Peter also talks about growing in the Knowledge of God. Lots of believers are busy gathering a lot of Christian knowledge in their minds like, historical knowledge, Church knowledge, etc. All this will help in some respects to our overall Christian life but not necessarily to grow Spiritually. As believers, we need to learn who God is and what His desire is for us to live Godly lives.

In Pro.9:10, we are told that the knowledge of God's holy ways will give us understanding- that is  the correct the ability to know the truth of God's character, His ways, His will for our lives. We need knowledge of God in our hearts if we are to grow and become healthy beings in Christ. n We cannot go around getting hold of any doctrine that we meet and expect to live normal Christian lives

Sound knowledge of God's Word will produce sound believers planted and rooted in God's soil, watered by the Word of God to produce good fruit.                          To be continued

Spiritual Growth, Eph.4:11-16.                        continuation           
Another obstacle to Spiritual Growth is the Failure to minister to one another in the Church.
Ministering to one another is one of the greatest ministries in the Church and without it no Church can grow properly. It is God's will for us to minister to one another and for believers to build themselves up in the Faith-Heb.6:10.
However, many believers consider this to be the job of the Leadership only and through this attitude they impoverish the Church spiritually.
The other side of the coin, of course, is when instead of ministering to one another we engage in pulling everyone apart or criticizing everybody. In this we do not build up the Church but simply demolish it.
What do we actually need to do when we minister one to another and what does it involve? To minister means to 'serve' and this is what the Lord Jesus called us to do by setting an example for us-John 13:1-17 (here a service of refreshment). We are called to minister to one another in the Church. It is not the job of a few gifted people. We are to minister according to our abilities and capacity to do so and not according to what we fancy doing.
We minister to one another because we have first learned to minister to the Lord and having done this we give ourselves to ministering to His people. We must get it the right way round, i.e. to the Lord first and then to His people, and not the other way round. In the passage in John's Gospel Jesus laid aside His garments and stooped low to minister to His disciples. We cannot minister to people from a position of superiority. We have to rid ourselves of our pride and then stoop down. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to, 'In lowliness consider each other better than yourself'. Ministering to someone means to be involved with that person. All enmity must depart. What is the real motive involved in this kind of ministry? Love. No amount of pleasantries will produce ministry if Love is not the motive of our hearts. The Lord Jesus loved His followers and showed it in a practical way, setting an example for us to follow.               To be continued

Spiritual Growth, Eph.4:11-16.              continuation
Another Obstacle to Spiritual Growth is the lack of Counselling or an unwillingness in the person to receive
correction or guidance.
Counselling, Correction and Guidance are necessary in the life of the Believer and are part of God's Discipline. Where these are absent  Spiritual Growth will be stunted and progress in the Church will also be affected.
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Tim.4:1-3, instructs Timothy to administer Discipline in the Church. The words of Paul may appear strict and many people may get frightened by the sound of Discipline in the Church. However, Paul gives instruction about how to minister to believers. Where a problem arises is when believers are unwilling to accept correction and guidance. If we see that the Leadership of the Church is out to oppress us then we should do our best to avoid discipline which brings the obvious results of error and disobedience.
If on the other hand we see the Leadership of the Church as the people through whom God will work, then we will receive discipline as necessary for our well being-Job 5:17.
 Paul uses the word 'Rebuke'  for discipline, whether we like it not and without beating about the bush. He also uses the word 'Exhort' for encouragement, meant to point out what is right. Another word he uses is 'Convince', that is to point out to the person the truth of the matter so that the person will see the error of his ways. If a person cannot see what is true in Scripture how will he know what is good or not?
Whether we progress in the Faith or not depends entirely on our attitude to the Word of our God which we receive for our lives. If all we do is attend a Church for meetings and services but avoid getting involved we are hearers only and not doers of the Word.
Guidance, correction, and counselling are part and parcel of the Christian Faith and we cannot pick and choose what suits us. Christianity is not a 'Pick and Choose' Religion. God insists in His Word that Discipline as administyered by the Church Leadership is part of our Christian training, and if we refuse God's Discipline we refuse to be His children.                                         to be continued

Spiritual Growth, Eph.4:11-16.             Continuation
Another obstacle to Spiritual Growth is a lack of hunger for Spiritual Food.
To sustain our bodies so that they grow physically we need to give them suitable food. If a person has no desire for such sustenance we term them as anorexic. This kind of condition will most likely lead to some kind of illness. Similarly, a believer who has no desire for spiritual food will eventually become spiritually sick and will even die spiritually, if that person persists in that state.
How is it that believers have no appetite for the Word of God, which is our spiritual food? God makes it clear that it is imperative to feed on His Word if we are to grow Spiritually.
If we have no appetite for natural food then the problem lies with some biological malfunction in our bodies but if we have no appetite for God's Word then the problem lies somewhere in our spiritual nature. The problem lies entirely with us and with nobody else.
What sort of things will stop our biological appetite? Usually, junk food, intoxicating substances, sorrow, etc. In the same way, spiritually, spiritual junk food, intoxicating christian experiences, apathy, an oppressed spirit, etc.
There are many believers who will give little or no time at all to the study of God's Word but will give time to reading Christian novels, magazines, T.V. soap-operas, etc. All these may not be necessary evil in their content but cannot be substitutes for the Word of God. In Job 23:12, we read, 'I have esteemed your Word....'. 
Many believers will satisfy themselves with 'getting high' on Christian entertainment and experiences and many others on a lot of Christian music that is often no different to the world's, merely adapted with Christian words. Many Christian meetings offer often worldly ideas and a style resembling worldly entertainment where singing is more important than the ministry of the Word and true worship. All these activities will give the impression of a spiritual atmosphere but will not provide spiritual growth and fruit.
There are many believers who have no thirst for the Word because their main desire is to better themselves in this life. There is also the kind of believer who is mentally oppressed by problems and anxieties so that  his mind cannot receive spiritual thoughts. Apart from this problem he may be oppressed by some spirit so he is not free to receive truth.
What is the answer to all these problems? 
A bit of tasty food will restore some appetite. Abstaining from junk food will also do the same but mixing the two will not bring the remedy. Do not mix the Word of God with spiritual hype. Stick to the pure Word in Prayer and Rightly Dividing the Word of God to stimulate your spiritual appetite.                                          

To be continued

Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16.            Continuation
More Obstacles to Spiritual Growth-Character Flaws which hinder Growth:
1.Deep Sense of Unworthiness. People who have this kind of problem are troubled by an inner nagging telling them, ' I am no good, I will never be anything, I am too bad, no one loves me', and so on .
Such people, when saved, experience joy and love for a while but soon this is turned into doubt about God's love and care for them. This kind of person has failed to focus on and experience God's deep love for the individual. This person's roots have not reached deep into the loving nature of God. There is a need for people with this kind of problem to focus on the positive value of God's love and build into the life a model of His character.
The problem of a 'Deep sense of Unworthiness'  usually originates in a person's childhood where love and care were missing, thus creating a feeling of not being wanted. What is the remedy for this kind of problem?
In Eph.5:25-26 we read, 'Christ loved the Church', i.e. You and Me, while we were deep in Sin. Anyone can love a person who is washed and clean but only God loved us while in the filth of Sin.

2. Spiritual Deafness. This concerns people who cannot hear spiritually. Though their physical hearing is good they cannot hear what the Holy Spirit tells them.
The Lord Jesus said repeatedly, 'He who has an ear let him hear....' . What is the cause of such deafness? Basically, the heart is full of the things of the world and it cannot respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is with the heart that one hears spiritually. A person may sit in a Church listening to the preaching of the Word but he cannot respond because his heart is overloaded and dull. Is 6:8-10 shows how God thinks of this kind of a person.
A person with dull hearing and an overloaded heart lives dangerously. What is the remedy? 
Repent, forsake the cares of this life and set your life free from this burden. Develop Spiritual Hearing. 'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God' Rom 10:17. Let the Word enter your heart to develop hearing and Faith.              To be continued

Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16.               continuation
Another obstacle to Spiritual Growth is-Character Flaws.
What are they? They are defects in our character or personality which we see as natural but if not corrected can become hindrances to Spiritual Growth. These can be genetic faults in our character or simply habits, not necessarily sinful but nevertheless they can spoil our spiritual nature. Some of these flaws are:
Over-sensitivity, deep sense of unworthiness, quick temper, etc. Over-sensitivity can be a positive quality in life but if it is over the limit it can have negative effects in us. As believers we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the things of God as well as to our fellow human beings. Sensitive in the sense that we must be aware of God's demands upon our lives and be mindful not to offend the Holy Spirit in any way.
We need to develop sensitivity towards the way the Holy Spirit operates in our lives else we shall not be able to answer His call, a thing that can lead us to disastrous ends. We need to show sensitivity towards our fellow human beings, whether believers or unbelievers, so that we can treat then in love and care for their well being.
Insensitivity towards our neighbour will cause us to live lives no different from ungodly people, caring only about ourselves and being conscious about nobody's needs. Christianity is a religion of love and God's Spirit makes us sensitive to this end. Insensitive people do not care whether they hurt you or not. The other end of sensitivity is Over sensitivity or commonly known as 'Touchiness'.
Oversensitive people are constantly hurt and imagine that everybody wants to hurt them. Such people live lives that are insecure or are constantly 'up and down'. A frown or a rebuke is enough to cause them a serious upset or depression. This is a shallow way of living.
How does Over sensitivity develop in a person's character? Usually from deep hurts that are caused in a person's life, often from childhood. 
Such people will often magnify trivial problems in their minds and imagine that other people criticize them or are against them. Oversensitive people have a great struggle in their Christian lives because they attribute to God and to their fellow believers feelings and attitudes that neither hold water or are true.
What is the remedy for Over sensitivity? Ps. 139:23-24, calls us to search the heart by the Holy Spirit who can bring into the open the very problems hidden deep in the heart and bring cleansing in the life and character.                                                To be continued

Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16.             Continuation
The question often asked is, How should we face Temptation?
There is only one example to follow in Scripture, that of the Lord Jesus, the way He faced the Devil and his temptation. We need to note the strategy of the Devil and how the Lord dealt with it.
The Lord did not face temptation in His own strength but with the Word of God. That is the weapon God placed in our hands and we must use it-Luke 4:3-4. The Devil has no authority against the Word of God, only lies and more lies.
Many believers are not wise enough and get into an argument with the Devil. Never do such a thing. He knows his job better than we do, but it is vital to discern where temptation comes from. Apart from the Devil it can come or originate from our own carnal desires. Temptation can usually start in our own minds as thoughts and if we allow them to take hold of our will they will lead to sin. A thought is not necessarily sin, provided we deal with it there and then in the Name of Jesus. If the thought persists in coming back in an uncanny way beware! It is probably from the Devil. The Devil will work closely with our flesh but Jesus said, 'If your eye offends you....'-Matt.18:9.
Do not let temptation overcome you but overcome temptation with God's Word. The Devil will do his best to control your mind with sinful thoughts. Keep your mind under the Power of the Blood. Every day plead the blood upon you to protect you from the devil's fiery darts. You cannot stop a bird flying round your head but you can stop it making a nest in your hair.
We have to face temptation but sometimes run away from the agent of temptation (c.f. Joseph's action against Potipher's wife.)
How does Temptation affect our spiritual Growth? Usually, by making the person feel continually that sin has been committed or there is failure in the Christian life, but it is written 'Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh...'-Gal.5:16.                                 To be continued