All Bible verses are from the King James Version.
Have you ever had a plant that didn’t grow well? Beyond that, I’ve killed quite a few in my lifetime. (sheepish grin) As I began to dabble more into gardening, I realized there is a LOT to learn about growing healthy plants – and it takes work!
To be very brief on the topic, plants need some basic essentials: nourished soil, a consistent water supply, and sunshine.
Growing plants isn’t overly complicated, but it does take some time, work, and effort. Each plant requires essential care and protection from harmful pests and predators that might harm it. And let’s not forget the weeds that can overtake them and steal away the nutrients!
Spiritual growth isn’t a complicated endeavor either. Our number one focused goal should be to build a closer relationship with God and please Him.
We need the essential steady supply of feeding on the Word of God daily. This feeds us spiritually, allows our faith to grow, and offers us protection from Satan’s deadly destruction.
Just like a plant’s growth will be stunted due to a lack of nourishment and care, our spiritual growth will be stunted as well when we do not put the time, work, and effort into making it flourish.
So, while we’re pondering about spring and the new growing season upon us, let’s also focus on growing spiritually as well.
The FIRST step to growing a relationship with God:
1. Join the Family of God by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior.
John 14:6 says, “ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
And Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
2. Take time, work and effort to draw closer to God.
Psalm 1:2 asserts, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
James 4:8a encourages us, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
And Romans 10:17 teaches us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
To successfully grow closer to our Heavenly Father, we must weed away the obstacles that prevent us from building a relationship with God:
Here are some weeds that get in our way of growing spiritually:
1. Bible knowledge without yielding to heart changes.
There are those who seem to have knowledge of the Bible, but no true desire to let it nourish spiritual growth and make heart changes.
Head knowledge without a heart change allows us to remain dwarf Christians.
Satan and his demons have vast knowledge about the things of God, but they are not a part of the family of God, and I can guarantee they are NOT growing spiritually!
James 2:19 says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
2. Disobedience is another obstacle to establishing a closer relationship with God.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” – Luke 6:46
There can never be a good relationship with God while we are being disobedient to Him.
3. Lack of Faith
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
4. Lack of Humility
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.“ – James 4:6
5. Love of the World
I John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
And Matthew 6:24 warns, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
6. Unconfessed Sin
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalm 66:18
Sin will keep us from having a close relationship with God!
7. Unforgiveness
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14 and 15
Don’t let the weeds of bitterness and unforgiveness snuff away your spiritual growth.
My friend, our Heavenly Father wants a close and personal relationship with YOU. He thinks about you and me and has plans for us.
God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
David understood the importance of living a godly life and keeping a close relationship with the Lord when he said,
“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” (Psalm 4:3)
Let’s not be dwarf Christians! Let’s grow, grow, grow, and grow some more! Be the tallest Christian you can be!
Keep walking in faith,
by Rhonda White
