8 Marks of Spiritual Maturity

Nobody wants to be immature. Growing up, one of the insults I hated the worst was to be accused of being immature. When we identify marks of spiritual maturity, it allows us to not only measure how we are doing but also to know what to work on.

Here are eight scriptural marks of spiritual maturity.

Filled with the knowledge of his will

When we are mature, we have a solid grasp on the will of God. We have spent time in the word and learned about God’s will. Not only that, we have allowed his will to shape our lives. The more of his will we learn, the easier it is to discern his will in the everyday events of life. Our capacity for knowing his will is ever increasing so we always have room to learn more of his will and we continually pursue that.

Bearing fruit in good work

Knowing God’s will enables us to know what to do. Working with our spiritual gifts within the will of God results in bearing fruit. In other words, people around us are changed. Spiritual gifts are given to edify the entire body of Christ. In addition, they are used to impact the world around us. Fully utilizing our gifts results in changing our world.

Increasing in the knowledge of God

There is a continual increase in our relationship with God. We gain in experiential knowledge of who he is. We know that he is infinite, so there is always so much more to learn about him. Our spiritual maturity means that we have a hunger and thirst for more of the knowledge of God. We spend time in prayer and in the word, always discovering more.

Strengthened with power

We know that God is all powerful. As we do the good work he has given us to do, his power strengthens us and makes us for effective in service. Sometimes, that power allows us to do things we never thought possible. Always, it makes even our weakest effort make a difference.

Demonstrating endurance

Life is not a sprint. We need endurance to continue to live and serve in the kingdom of God. One mark of spiritual maturity is that we recognize that not every day is going to be rosy. Difficult seasons are normal in every life. Endurance is learned through these times.

Patient

Some of the older translations of the Bible would call this long suffering. In a sense, that is exactly what patience is. In partnership with endurance, we continue through difficult times. We also wait with great hope and expectation for all the promises of God to come to fruition. Patience means we don’t lose heart.

Joyful

The presence of continual joy in our life is the seventh mark of spiritual maturity. God gives us joy that is not dependent on circumstances. We don’t need constant encouragement or to be surrounded with loving and positive people to experience joy. It is part of our relationship with God.

Grateful

Every day, I strive to thank God for something new. Even though I do repeat myself far too often, I know that he blesses me all the time. We can even begin to thank him for an incredible destination in heaven! He is with us all the time and that certainly deserves our gratitude. Like so many other things, we can give thanks no matter what our circumstances.

Here is what Paul wrote:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 1:9–12 (ESV)

What now?

These marks are not only a measure of our spiritual maturity but a prayer list and road map to spiritual growth. Wherever you sense weakness, ask God to help you. As we walk with God, we find our relationship getting richer and deeper. It is a blessing to recognize the growing maturity in our spiritual lives. But we all have a long way to go!