Devotionals

7 Keys To Spiritual Growth For A Closer Walk With God

1 month ago7 min read

The Bible prioritizes spiritual growth for all Christians.
This is because when Jesus gave His life for us, He didn’t come just for us to say a prayer and accept Him. He wanted to transform our lives to make us more like Him so we could also bring new believers to God’s kingdom.

Spiritual growth is a journey for all Christians to take on. Our purpose is to build a closer walk with Christ, which results in us transforming from glory to glory as we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit plays a major role in our spiritual growth. He brings an understanding of the Scriptures and helps us apply them in our daily lives. His transforming power allows us to forsake sin, bear spiritual fruit, and take on the righteousness of Christ.

The process of growing spiritually is known as sanctification. In today’s post, I’m going to give you 7 keys to spiritual growth that will help you grow closer to God and live a healthy spiritual life.

What We’ll Cover:

Why Is Spiritual Growth Important?
What Is Spiritual Growth?
Scriptures On Spiritual Growth
7 Powerful Keys To Spiritual Growth
Putting The 7 Keys Into Practice

Let’s get to it!

What Is Spiritual Growth?

Spiritual growth is the process of a Christian becoming more like Christ Jesus through sanctification.

When a person accepts Jesus in their heart, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in them and begins applying the finished work of Christ. As the new believer builds a relationship with God, it results in a new life that glorifies our Heavenly Father.

This growth comes from studying the Word, being in fellowship with other Christians, being constant in prayer, and loving God.

2 Corinthians 3:18
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

Spiritual growth is demonstrated by how much Christ is reflected in our lifestyle—how we behave and the decisions we make daily to love and obey Jesus.

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Key Takeaway:
Spiritual growth is becoming less like the world and more like Jesus Christ.

Growing spiritually is important because the Bible teaches that every Christian should seek to grow in their knowledge of Jesus.

a plant growing as a sign of spiritual growth

The Importance of Spiritual Growth

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Spiritual growth is part of God’s plan of sanctification through the Holy Spirit.

As Christ-followers, we are called to draw closer to God and avoid spiritual stagnation. To do that, we must open ourselves to His work in us.

John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Spiritual Growth Helps Us Make Better Decisions

Ecclesiastes 2:26
For to the one who pleases Him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy…

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Spiritual growth brings wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—helping us make better decisions.

What Are the Stages of Spiritual Growth?

There are stages to spiritual growth. Here’s how I define them:

Spiritual Infancy
Spiritual Childhood
Elderhood

Spiritual Infancy

This is the beginning stage where someone accepts Jesus into their heart. They may not know much Scripture, but they have a desire to grow. They need fellowship and teaching to break worldly habits and build a strong foundation.

Spiritual Childhood

This stage is marked by bearing fruit and living in truth. The believer isn’t fully mature but is set apart for God and growing steadily.

Elderhood

This is the stage where a believer is equipped to lead others. Paul describes this role in:

1 Timothy 3:1–5
If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach… able to teach… not a lover of money… managing his own household well…

Characteristics of Spiritual Growth

Spiritual maturity can be seen by how much fruit we bear:

Daily Bible reading
Prayer
Fellowship
Obedience

John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

The Fruit of the Spirit:

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-Control

Key Takeaway:
Bearing fruit is a sign of spiritual maturity and reveals the health of our walk with God.

Scriptures On Spiritual Growth

Here are some Bible verses that speak directly to growing in Christ:

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…

1 Peter 2:2–3
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk…

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking…

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature…