Testing Our Spiritual Growth -- 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Kids are excited by their physical growth. They'll stand back to back and compare height. Most children keep track of how they match up to their parents. Adult believers may be finished with physical growth. But they are still maturing spiritually, and checking progress is still an exciting experience. There are three ways to evaluate growth.

First, we know our relationship with God is growing when we can see our true nature clearly. As the Spirit gains greater control of our life, we become increasingly aware of our own sinfulness and weakness. We realize we can't live the Christian life alone.

We know we're growing when our response to sin is quick. Conviction brings about immediate and genuine repentance. Ignoring our sin is rebellion against God. This type of disobedience halts spiritual growth.

We know intimacy with God is deepening when we guard our devotional time. Private moments of prayer and scriptural meditation must be a top priority for maturing believers. Listening to the Lord and talking with Him about our needs enables us to stay connected to His will. Then we're reminded of His love.

Spiritual growth should give us joy. Why? Because our spirit is looking more and more like that of Jesus Christ. As Philippians 2:15 states, we don't have to stand back to back with people of the world for them to see that we're "children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation."

Dr Charles Stanely