3 Myths About Maturity
Watch the Sermon
If you’d rather watch a sermon than read this post, I preached a sermon entitled “Be Transformed” from Ephesians 4:11-16 that covers this topic in greater detail.
Before we address three myths about maturity I think it’s imperative that we establish the definition of maturity.
Maturity is best defined as the process of continual personal transformation that results in us being conformed into the likeness of Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
Scripture literally says that we have been predestined to be conformed to the image (or likeness) of Christ (Romans 8:29). Therefore, the more we look like Jesus (thoughts, words, and deeds) the more we can be confident that we’re on a path towards maturity. To be clear, we’re not called to be perfect or to be a god, but to emulate our Savior and be transformed into His likeness (Luke 6:40).
Three key principles about biblical maturity:
Jesus is the standard of our maturity, not other believers (Ephesians 4:13
Jesus is the substance of our maturity (Ephesians 4:13, John 10 + John 15))
Maturity involves doctrinal stability with an emphasis on intentional and holistic growth over time (Ephesians 4:14-16, Colossians 1:28-29, Romans 8:29)
With this as our “starting point”, here are three very common myths in the Church today as it relates to maturity.
MYTH #1: Church Attendance/Religious Activity = Maturity
This couldn't be any further from the truth of Scripture. No where does the Bible indicate that attending any kind of gathering or zealous religious activity will produce mature believers. Granted, we are informed in Hebrews 10:25 not to forsake the fellowship. We know that much can be gained from fellowship in terms of encouragement, support, and edification. But to equate that one hour a week to the "prime time" material for one's spiritual maturity is a very weak understanding of the Christian life.
The primary problem with this way of thinking is that it assumes a false definition of maturity. In this type of thinking, maturity = proximity or familiarity with church things. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians assume that their proximity to spiritual activities or their history with religion equates to maturity.
We have not been called to attend services; we’ve been called to follow a Person.
No amount of religion (no matter how sincere it may be) is no substitute for a relationship with God.
MYTH #2: Knowledge = Maturity
First of all, it would be a step in the right direction if every believer actually read their Bible everyday; but we all know that’s not the reality.
Knowledge isn't the goal. Transformation is the goal. (2 Peter 1:5-8, Colossians 1:28-29)
In order for transformation to take place, we are commanded to obey Jesus (and by proxy, all of Scripture) and put everything we learn into practice. In order to obey Jesus we must first know what Jesus has said and that requires listening to, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture.
Don’t miss this: Real life transformation begins with your personal intake of God’s Word on a regular basis.
Let's be honest, we all know Christians who know a lot about the Bible but their lives don't look like they've spent much time with Jesus. Clearly, there's a huge difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
In order to be transformed by the Word, there must be application and practice of God's Word as well. Therefore, within the power of the Holy Spirit:
Knowledge + Application = Transformation
Unfortunately, many Christians live their whole lives skimming the surface of God's Word and memorizing a small handful of passages that they use over and over again. Once again, while this is a good place to start, let's not miss that fact that the Word of God is an endless source of life-transforming truth. If this is all the further we go, there's nothing fresh about their our of God's Word. The more we digest it the more the Holy Spirit has to work with in molding and shaping us and refining our character (1 Timothy 4:8).
In addition, there are dozens of passages in the Bible that warn us that there is serious danger in hearing the Word but not applying it and one of the most clear passages is Jesus’ words in Luke 6:46-49. In addition, in John 10, Jesus uses the word “listen” five times in one chapter as He refers to His relationship with His people (the sheep) and how they hear His voice, they listen, they obey, and they follow (John 10:27. In James, we read that hearing without doing is foolishness and we’re literally deceiving ourselves and our religion is a joke (James 1:22-25).
MYTH #3: Age = Maturity
We all know this isn’t true. How do I know? Well, we’ve all met college students who are mature far beyond their years and act like spiritual adults and yet we’ve also met older believers in their 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s who act like spiritual teenagers. How does this work?
Well, clearly maturity can’t necessarily be measured by time alone. There are multiple factors that reveal a person’s maturity and often time isn’t the primary factor. We see this reality in Scripture when the prophet Samuel anoints a teenager named David to become king. However, we see that while David was anointed at a young age he also matured with age unlike his predecessor, King Saul. While Saul had the outward appearances of maturity (a strong, handsome, charismatic leader) he was inwardly a man with weak character.
Take a look at this graphic below that represents a biblical diagnostic tool for the spiritual maturity continuum.
Notice that we all move from being “dead” in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-3) and by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, we become children of God (Ephesians 2:4-10). Then we are “infants” in Christ primarily characterized by ignorance. This describes every new believer every - fired up and yet completely oblivious to a thousand important truths and realities. That’s why discipleship is so critical at this stage. From infancy, we grow up and become “children” who are know a few things but now we’re primarily characterized by selfishness. Who can’t relate to this reality; personally or in discipling someone else!? The primary call of Jesus is the denial of self and taking up our cross daily (Luke 9:23-26). As we mature, we move from being incredibly self-centered to being more others-focused as we see in the graphic below. The next phase of growth is the “young adult” season where we’re not only concerned about others but we’re also becoming more and more concerned about how our life is aligned with the will, purpose, and agenda of Jesus. In this season, we mature to the point where our habits, our passions, and our convictions radically change and become more and more Christ-centered. Lastly, a person who is radically committed to Jesus will mature further and become a person that is more concerned with building God’s Kingdom than their own. They will be people that are passionately committed to fulfilling the Great Commission and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Why? Because that mission is the mission of God and His game plan hasn’t changed; the primary means by which He accomplishes His mission is through disciple-makers making disciple-makers. You can’t read the book of Acts and the New Testament without seeing this reality.
Remember that the key is this: a person could potentially mature through this continuum and be 30 or 93 but the determining factor isn’t their age; it’s their spiritual maturity category (dead, infant, child, young adult, or parent).
One important observation to note is the reality that everyone has a “next step”. No one has arrived at perfection this side of eternity.
So where are you on this continuum? What’s your next step?
Don’t compare yourself to others; compare yourself to Jesus and remember that He is the standard of our maturity.
In addition, He has given you the gift of the Spirit and the revelation of His Word to guide you into obedience and fruitfulness (2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 15:1-5). By the power of the Spirit, you can walk in maturity!
Take your next with Jesus!