Growing Up Spiritually: 10 Crucial Reasons For Christian Growth

November 6, 2025

The subject of growing up spiritually belongs to the class of critical, foundational doctrines that ought to be taught to new Christians. This is so, because as Christians, we are called not only to believe in Jesus but also to grow in Him daily. God’s Spirit, through Apostle Peter, reveals this profound truth in 1 Peter 2:1–2:

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

Growing up spiritually is a divine expectation for everyone who believes in Jesus. Every parent has an earnest expectation for their children to grow into mature adults, who are able to function well in every aspect of their lives. Likewise, God has expectations that His children should grow up, able to function well in every aspect of the Christian life.

Growing up spiritually is crucial for every believer, because it is the key to fruitfulness and usefulness; it is the key to becoming all that God has called us to be.

Table of Contents

The Metaphor of “Birth”

1 Peter 2:2:

“As newborn babes…”

The phrase “newborn babes” is figurative for those who just come into God’s life through faith. In the New Testament, “birth” is used figuratively to describe the gracious work of God which changes sinful, spiritually dead people into living and holy people. This is being born again of God. Let’s see some scriptures.

1 Peter 1:23:

“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

1 John 3:9:

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

1 John 4:7:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

The concept of new birth came from Jesus’s teaching in John 3. Nicodemus, a foremost religious leader in Israel, came to Jesus seeking truth. And, Jesus told him that entrance into God’s kingdom—the sphere of life over which God rules—is only possible through a new birth.

The new birth is the spiritual surgery that God does on those who believe the gospel, by which He takes away their old sinful nature, gives them a new heart, and fills them with His Spirit. God had foretold this profound work from the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:26–27). The product of that work is a totally new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 captures this profound truth.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The term “new”—Greek kainosis—means that the born-again person has never existed before; he is freshly made. It is as if a new child just got born into God’s family.

Growth is Expected!

Being born again is not all there is to Christianity. It is just the induction into the life in God; the beginning of a journey. The actual journey is the journey of growing. Growing up spiritually is not just expected, it is also commanded.

2 Peter 3:18:

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Ephesians 4:14–15:

14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.

The joy that parents have at the birth of a child can’t be accurately expressed—the expectancy and pain of nine months of pregnancy is replaced by joy and relief. I can’t forget what it felt like when my first child was born. The joy is indescribable. As I carried her in my arms, I felt a deep emotion.

But the joy will quickly turn to sorrow if, when the child ought to be growing, he isn’t. Every parent expects growth. And this is true also of the Christian life. God our Father expects that we should grow.

Growing Up Spiritually: What It Really Means

Growing up spiritually is to progressively but consistently become like Jesus in worldview, speech, and behavior. It is moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. Apostle Paul described this in 1 Corinthians 13:11:

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.” [AMPC]

Growing up spiritually means outgrowing spiritual childishness, such as laziness, selfishness, or lack of commitment, and embracing maturity in Christ.

Growing up spiritually is to increasingly reflect Christ. Paul expressed this meaning of spiritual growth in ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:19:

“My little children, I am in pain again over you, like a mother giving birth. I will feel this pain until people can look at you and see Christ.” [Easy-To-Read Version, Emphasis added]

Growing up spiritually is not about religious activities—it’s about our character, thoughts, and lifestyle being transformed and conformed to Christ’s image. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

As we behold Christ revealed in the Bible, we see who we ought to be—in speech, thought, behavior, etc. And, the Spirit changes us to that image. It is God’s will that we should be conformed to Christ, the model Son (Romans 8:29). Christ is the yardstick for our growth (Ephesians 4:13).

God saves us as we are—unruly, stingy, etc. Then, He starts to mold us into His image, to make us fit for the life in Him. To grow up spiritually is to increasingly reflect the changes happening in us by the Spirit’s working. This is what the Bible says in ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

To “work out your own salvation” is often misunderstood as to work for our salvation. But that’s not what the Bible says. It contradicts the overall New Testament’s soteriology which is salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). Instead, the text is saying to express outwardly what God is doing in us. The very next verse speaks of God working within us.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13:

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Thus growing up spiritually is to increasingly outwardly give expression to the changes that God is working out in us by the Holy Spirit.

Why Growing Up Spiritually Matters

Growing up spiritually is very critical to us, for many reasons. Here are just a few:

1. Spiritual Growth Is God’s Will for Every Believer

As we had seen earlier, growing up spiritually for believers is not a suggestion from God; it’s a command from God. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, commands,

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

God our Father expects His children to grow. And, He delights when we grow, because growth is the proof that His life indwells us. Growth is proof of life. A Christian who is not growing up spiritually is denying the power of the life of God in him or her.

2. Spiritual Growth Brings Stability in the Faith

Spiritually immature Christians are unstable, easily swayed by every temptation, trial, and wind of teaching. But maturity makes us stable, which enables us to resist sin and remain steadfast in faith. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, says:

14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. (Ephesians 4:14–15)

As we grow in knowledge through the Word and develop spiritual capacity, we become rooted and stabilized in the faith. Growth produces conviction. It gives the strength to stand firm when others compromise and the clarity to recognize error when it appears dressed as truth.

3. Spiritual Growth Deepens Relationship with God

The older a child gets, the deeper and stronger the relationship with the parents gets. Because the child’s understanding of the parents’ character and will is increasing.

Likewise, spiritual growth brings us closer to God. As we grow, our understanding of God’s character and will deepens. Our love for God increases, and our obedience becomes more consistent. Our relationship stops being a religious one of rules and becomes a living relationship with the Father.

Through prayer, worship, and obedience, we begin to know God personally—not just about Him. Growth transforms our hearts so that we delight in our relationship with God and trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense.

4. Spiritual Growth Leads to Fruitfulness and Usefulness

Fruitfulness is critical to the Christian life. It is how God is glorified in believers. Jesus says in John 15:8:

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”

Fruitfulness is a proof of God’s life in believers, and that we are growing in God’s life. The indication that we are growing is that we are increasingly bearing spiritual fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). This is clear evidence that Christ lives and works in us.

And, growth positions us for service in the kingdom of God—serving the Lord and His people with our gifts and graces. Service is a proof of increasing spiritual maturity.

5. Spiritual Growth Reflects the Image of Christ

The ultimate will of God in salvation is for us to be made into His image through Christ (Romans 8:29). But this happens through growth. As we mature spiritually, we increasingly reflect the image and character of Jesus.

But spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a progressive but consistent work of the Holy Spirit shaping our attitudes, purifying our motives, and aligning our will with God’s word. The more we grow, the more people see Christ in our conduct and speech. I love the Easy-To-Read Version rendering of ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:19:

“My little children, I am in pain again over you, like a mother giving birth. I will feel this pain until people can look at you and see Christ.”

6. Spiritual Growth Produces Endurance Through Trials

An effect of spiritual growth is the capacity for handling life’s challenges with faith and endurance. Spiritual growth produces spiritual capacity and strength. James 1:3–4 says:

3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

Immature believers react badly to difficulties. But mature believers trust that God is working all things in their lives, even the challenges, according to His own purpose. Growth enables us to see trials not as evil but as instruments for building character and strengthening our faith.

7. Spiritual Growth Brings Glory to God

As we grow, our capacity for fruitfulness increases. And, this (fruitfulness) brings glory to God. Jesus says in John 15:8:

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”

Our spiritual growth is a testimony of God’s power to transform lives. The world notices when a Christian, who was formerly a bad person, now walks in every noble character, and marvels at the power that changed him. Believer’s maturity magnifies God’s power and brings Him glory.

8. Spiritual Growth Guards from Spiritual Complacency

There is always the danger of losing spiritual fervency and becoming lukewarm or spiritually passive. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit consistently warns believers to be diligent to maintain spiritual fervency.

Romans 12:11:

“Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

In the book of Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16, Jesus—the ascended Lord of the Church, rebuked the Laodicean believers for their lukewarmness.

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

But the only way that we can sustain and increase in spiritual fervency is to keep growing. When growth ceases, death begins. Growth will keep your spiritual life vibrant. It will keep your heart tender to God’s Word, keep your prayer life alive, and keep your desire for holiness strong.

A growing Christian’s sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit also increases continually.

9. Spiritual Growth Strengthens the Body of Christ

Stronger believers—in character, worldview, speech, and actions, make the Church (the body of Christ) stronger. As believers grow, unity, love, honor, and service increase in the church. A church filled with spiritually mature members becomes a powerful witness to the world. Growth promotes harmony instead of division, humility instead of pride, and service instead of selfishness.

Paul, writing in Ephesians 4:15–16, says:

15 But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

10. Spiritual Growth Prepares You for Eternal Reward

Spiritual maturity is the key to preparation for eternity and the rewards of Christ. Jesus says in Revelation 22:12:

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

We got saved and are qualified for eternal reign with Christ on the basis of Christ’s finished work. But each of us will have rewards in eternity according to our own good works. And, as I have said over and over, the key to producing good works (fruitfulness) is growth.

Spiritual maturity is preparation for eternity. The Christian life is a training ground for the eternal reign with Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy,

“If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬).

Keys to Growing Up Spiritually

There are many things that make for the growth of the believer. I am going to enumerate just a few here.

1. Feeding on the Word of God

God’s Word is the primary source of spiritual nourishment. It is food for our born-again spirit, able to make us grow. Acts 20:32 says,

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Every believer must cultivate a daily habit of studying, meditating on, and practicing the Word. 1 Peter 2:2 says,

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

The Bible reveals who God is, what He wants, and how we are to live. The Holy Spirit uses these revelations to transform our minds, correct our ways, and strengthen our faith. No believer can grow apart from a steady intake of God’s Word.

2. Cultivate a Life of Prayer

Prayer is a vital tool in building up our spiritual life. Jude 1:20 says,

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

Prayer—especially one done in a state of yieldedness to the influence of the Holy Spirit—impacts greatly on our spiritual life. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us through prayer. He also makes supplies of grace and strength available to us through prayer.

As we spend time in prayer, our hearts are softened, our faith deepens, and our spiritual sensitivity sharpens.

3. Walking in Obedience

Obedience to the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit is very vital to growing up spiritually. When we yield in obedience, we are denying our flesh of its craving. And, as the influence of the flesh declines in us, so the influence of the Holy Spirit grows in us. That is what spiritual growth is. James 1:22 says,

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Obedience is exercising ourselves in righteousness. And, with consistency in exercising comes development. Each act of obedience builds strength in the believer’s spiritual life, enabling us to live the Godly life more.

4. Remain in Fellowship with Other Believers

Christian growth happens in community, not isolation. Fellowship with other believers sharpens us in no small way. Proverbs 27:17 says that iron sharpens iron. There is love and care, oversight, encouragement, rebuke and correction, intercession, etc. to be enjoyed in the company of believers. Hence, Hebrews 10:24 warns against neglecting believers’ assembly.

5. Depend on the Holy Spirit

Christian growth is not achievable through the power of the flesh. It can only be achieved through the power of the Spirit. Apostle Paul rebuked the Galatian Christians because of their dependence on the flesh to be perfected.

Galatians 3:

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

The Holy Spirit is the divine agent of transformation. He empowers us to live victoriously, convicts us of sin, comforts us in weakness, and produces the fruit of godliness in us.

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

To grow spiritually, we must yield daily to the Spirit’s leading and trust His power over our human strength.

Final Words

Growing up spiritually is not optional for a Christian—it is necessary. It means moving from infancy to maturity in Christ, producing fruit, and becoming equipped to fulfill God’s purpose. Every believer must make the decision and pursue growth daily through prayer, the Word, fellowship, obedience, and cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

Ask yourself, “Am I growing in my walk with God, or am I stagnant?” Determine to take steps forward in your spiritual journey this week. Spend more time in the Word, repair and restart your prayer altar, take more seriously fellowship with other believers, and yield yourself to the Holy Spirit.