God's Plan and Promises for His PeopleSample

In what areas must we grow spiritually?

What spiritual growth patterns does God have planned for us? What are some ways in which all of us, as believers, need to grow? Here are a few.

We need to grow in those things that develop our Christian character. We need to foster a lifestyle cultivated by the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23).

First Thessalonians 3:12-13 says, "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." Look at those verbs—increase, abound, establish. All of them imply growth and solidity of character.

But we must also grow in spiritual knowledge as well as in character. Paul prayed for the Colossian believers, "That you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10).

When we get born again, our knowledge of God's character, His works, His attributes, His likes, and dislikes are minimal. But if we are to be like Him, we must increase our knowledge of Him. That's God's plan for spiritual growth. We must take our Bible in hand and learn all there is about our wonderful Creator.

In addition, we must grow in our knowledge of God's will. It may not be as difficult as it sounds if you are willing to read God's Word. You won't know His will in every detail of life, but you certainly can know His general desires and expectations for your behavior.

For example, Jesus said, "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all he has given Me I should lose nothing" (John 6:39). Paul said, "But understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine,... but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:17,18). Paul also said, "For this is the will of God,... that you should abstain from sexual immorality" (I Thess. 4:3).

These and dozens of other statements in Scripture are too direct to be misunderstood. Yet many Christians wonder whether it's acceptable to get drunk with wine or engage in premarital or extramarital sex when God's Word tells us what His will is. When we read God's Word and believe it, we will grow in our understanding of His will. That's part of God's plan for our spiritual growth.