Spiritual Maturity | The Bridge Network

Spiritual maturity on an external level is the consistent application of appropriate biblical principles to life’s circumstances. At a heart level, spiritual maturity is defined by one’s inner desires and affections. Spiritual maturity is internally marked by the inclination of the heart being consistently centered on God as revealed in Christ. A spiritually minded person is one whose will, as well as his intellect and affection, is set on God.

We believe spiritual maturity can be measured by character, perspective, conviction, knowledge and skill in the area of one’s gifting. We believe spiritual maturity is also characterized by integrity with personal sin issues, continuing spiritual growth, dependence upon God, and interdependent relationships with other Christians.

We believe that God’s will for every believer is spiritual maturity. The ultimate goal for maturity is to become like Jesus. We believe spiritual maturity is intentional; it requires commitment and effort to grow.

We believe spiritual maturity comes through a variety of spiritual experiences with God. As an example, spiritual maturity will not come only through Bible study but also through loving relationships with other believers, using one’s gifts to build the body, service, worship, etc. Spiritual maturity is not an accumulation of knowledge. One can have knowledge without being spiritual but can’t be spiritual without knowledge. Spiritual maturity is demonstrated more by behaviors than by beliefs.

We believe spiritual maturity is not only a private matter but also a community matter. It takes relationships to grow.

The quality of your relationship to Christ can be seen in the quality of your relationships with other believers.

(Ideas for this understanding of spiritual maturity have been taken from, The Purpose Driven Church (331-340), and ISBE (2845))