Spiritual Maturity
Lessons from the book of James (#4)
In previous blogs we learned that trials are from God and are designed to produce spiritual growth. Temptations are from Satan and yielding to temptations lead to death.
Yielding to temptations will, without a doubt, stunt our spiritual growth.
The way to avoid being tripped up by Satan’s temptations is to be growing in a relationship with the Father by spending time in the word.
In James 1:18 we see how God transforms lives with His word.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18 ESV)
We also read about lives being transformed in the book of Ephesians.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, …. (Ephesians 1:13 ESV)
God’s “living and active” word is at work in believers.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV)
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV)
God’s word gives our lives direction.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 ESV)
God uses His Word to change our lives. The changes are for now and for eternity.
Why would anyone choose to subject themselves to Satan’s temptations and stunt their spiritual growth by ignoring God’s word? If we know that God’s word empowers us to have victory over Satan’s temptations, it seems foolish choosing not to spend quality time in the Word throughout the week.
Spending time in the Word leads to spiritual maturity.
Check out “Whoever Believes….”
