What does the Bible say about christian maturity?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that Christian maturity is Spirit-grown conformity to Christ, shown in growing knowledge, discernment, love, holiness, and obedient faith. Believers are called to move beyond spiritual infancy by feeding on God’s Word and learning to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2). Maturity does not mean self-reliance, but steady dependence on God’s grace, expressed in doing the Word rather than merely hearing it (James 1:22). Through Christ’s gifts to the church, God builds his people toward stability and unity in the faith (Ephesians 4:11-14). Love is central to this growth, replacing childish ways with Christlike character (1 Corinthians 13:11).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
- Hebrews 5:12-14
[12] For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. [13] For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. [14] But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
- Ephesians 4:11-14
[11] He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; [12] for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
- Luke 8:14
That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
- Colossians 1:9-12
[9] For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
- 1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,
- Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light for my path.
- John 3:19-21
[19] This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. [21] But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."
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