THE EFFECT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
By Pastor Joshua Edohoema
Part 1
Colossians 1:9–10
“Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Experiential Knowledge
When you lack the wisdom of God, the knowledge of His will, and spiritual understanding, you will live by chance.
But God wants us to live predictable lives—lives where we can anticipate the outcome of each step we take, and properly discern the situations we face.
Many believers do not have spiritual understanding.
They still see life only through a natural perspective—approaching life from the flesh, not the spirit.
And as a result, they get frustrated, trying to make sense of everything while forgetting a core truth:
It is the spiritual that governs the natural.
The Power of Spiritual Understanding
Spiritual understanding empowers you to:
- Walk in dominion
- Remain in rest
- Respond appropriately to situations—not reacting in fear or frustration
- Stay unmoved because you discern what is happening
This is progressive.
The more you grow in the knowledge of His will—in all wisdom and spiritual understanding—the more worthy your walk becomes.
You will keep increasing in the experiential knowledge of God.
A Prayer to Pray
“Lord, fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so I may walk worthy of You, fully pleasing You, and being fruitful in every good work.”
Then your faith will no longer be based on assumptions.
It will come from your encounter—your experience with God, which causes you to increase!
More of God = More Increase
Psalm 84:7
“They go from strength to strength (INCREASE), every one of them appears before God in Zion.”
Every time you experience God, increase takes place. That is spiritual growth!
Your Advantage as a Believer
Your true advantage is not your background, connections, or efforts—
Your advantage is your increase in the knowledge of God.
Yesterday’s revelation may not be enough for today’s battles.
You must be current, because:
Revelation is progressive.
Encounters with God must be daily.
Matthew 6:11
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
God has something for you today. Don’t settle for what He did yesterday.
One of your greatest enemies can be the memory of yesterday’s victory.
Why? Because it can keep you stuck.
There is more!
New things happen to those who understand that your spiritual journey is not based on a one-time experience, but on a continual progression.
Learn from yesterday—but be open to what God is doing today.
What God wants to do today may not be the same as yesterday.
1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child;
but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
You don’t go up—you grow up!
You don’t just mature—you become mature.
From Child to Son
The day you were born again, you were born a spiritual child.
But over time, you are called to become.
Even Jesus was born a Child, but fulfilled His destiny as a Son.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…”
Jesus grew. He increased—in wisdom, in stature, in favor.
He embraced the pathway of growth.
You must also grow. You must develop. You must put away childish things—because they don’t fit where God is taking you.
If you have spiritual life in you, it is expected to grow!
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
What does it mean to be spiritually mature?
- It means you’re growing, but your growth is not the destination—it’s an ongoing journey.
- It means growing in Christ-likeness.
- Growing in the knowledge of God.
- Growing in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
- Enjoying ongoing intimacy with God.
Spiritual maturity makes you a strong leader.
When you grow, you can influence others.
Ephesians 4:13
“…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge (experientially) of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
WAYS TO GROW SPIRITUALLY
1. Evaluate Yourself
You won’t see where you are until you evaluate yourself.
Don’t compare yourself to others!
Look at yourself in the light of God’s Word.
Study Jesus. Ask yourself:
- Am I there?
- Do I live this way?
Be honest. That’s how you’ll recognize where you are and what you need.
Wisdom is in evaluating yourself before anyone else does.
2. Take Responsibility
Once you see, act on it:
- Align your life with God’s Word.
- Set goals.
- Make a growth plan.
- Be accountable.
Growth is intentional.
Spiritual maturity is your responsibility.