Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth. Truth is found in the Bible, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit living within us uses the Word to sanctify us and make us more like Jesus.
KEY VERSE
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 18:31-32 KJV
The Word of God is alive, everything exists because God spoke it into existence and to this day when God speaks change happens even through the Bible.
God’s Word possesses immense power: it creates life, shapes character and faith, brings about change and miracles, and facilitates healing. It offers hope, brings joy, and transforms our circumstances. His Word instils fear in the devil and helps us overcome temptation. It renews our minds, provides strength, and assures our future.
The Word is like food for us, it nourishes us spiritually and we need it for spiritual strength and growth. We need it to fulfil our purpose. Feeding on God’s Word should be our priority.
In John 8:31 Jesus says we need to hold to his teachings, to abide in the Word. How do we abide in God’s Word?
ACCEPT ITS AUTHORITY
To abide in God’s Word we must trust in it. The Bible is our guide, it leads us in the right direction, it’s our counsel when we have decisions to make and it’s how we evaluate our lives.
The Word will never lead us astray unlike our feelings, reason, tradition or culture. The Word is a shield to those who take refuge in God (Proverbs 30:5).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
The bible needs to be our ultimate authority because when we face choices the bible guides us to choose in line with scripture. When we struggle it is our comfort and advisor. The bible is not only filled with the values we should live, it’s one of the main ways God speaks to us.
ASSIMILATE ITS TRUTH
We must absorb the Word and apply it in our lives. Our minds need to be filled with the the Word so the Spirit can transform us with truth.
We do this by receiving, reading, researching, remembering and reflecting on the Word.
RECEIVING
We receive the Word when we listen and accept it with an open mind.
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” Luke 8:18 NIV
If we are not learning anything from a sermon or preacher we need to check ourselves for pride because God can use anyone to teach us, even the most boring teachers, if we are open-minded to receive.
READING
We need to read the bible regularly ideally every day. Reading the bible keeps us hearing God’s voice especially when we read every day.
“He is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.” Deuteronomy 17:19 NIV
RESEARCHING
Studying the Word is asking questions and noting insights, it can reveal things that may go unnoticed by simply reading.
It can be as simple as asking who, what, where, when, why and how. Knowing context can reveal a lot.
REMEMBERING
Memory is a gift from God and the more we use it the stronger it gets. Typically, we remember what’s important to us and if God’s Word is important to us we will take the time to remember it.
Memorising bible verses can do us a lot of good, it helps us resist temptation, reduce stress, build confidence, make wise choices and share our faith.
“When you words came, I ate them, they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
REFLECTING
Also called meditation it’s the art of focused thinking. As we take time to reflect on God’s Word the Spirit changes us over time to become like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Serious reflection leads to answered prayer (John 15:7) and success if we apply what we learn in our lives (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2-3).
APPLY ITS PRINCIPLES
If we fail to practice what the Word teaches all the effort of spending time in the Word is in vain.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
This is the hardest part because the devil doesn’t want us to live God’s way and apply what we learn. He attacks our every attempt but knowledge is nothing if it’s not used.
God’s blessing comes from obeying the truth (John 3:17) and applying it in our lives is not only what we are called to do but is the wise move (Matthew 7:24).
The truth will set us free but we have to make time for it, to read and study it so we can learn and grow and become more like Jesus. It will not be easy but it is worth it. Abiding in the Word is the only way to achieve lasting, spiritual growth.
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Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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