First Peter: Humility | Part 1: Trials — Grow Up: How to Grow Spiritually

1 Peter 1:23, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

Lasting change is not self-reformation but spirit transformation.

Only once you’ve been “born again” inwardly does God begin to change you outwardly. Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

1 Peter 2:1-3, Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Everyone begins in spiritual infancy, but God wants us to grow to spiritual maturity. In 1 Peter 2:1-3, God is saying, “Grow up!” Many of God’s born-again children live forever as spiritual “toddlers.”

How do you grow spiritually?

1. Put away childish things.

Spiritual immaturity leaves you in a life of mediocrity and inconsistency. 1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking...”

Physical and spiritual growth happen gradually. While your justification happens instantly, your sanctification happens gradually.

2. Digest spiritual things.

Get into God’s Word, so God’s Word gets into you! 1 Peter 2:2, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

You become what you consume physically and spiritually! God’s Word is the spiritual food needed to grow spiritually and to be healthy.

Many have a soft “flabby” faith because they eat more of the world’s junk “food” than they do Jesus’ food! Stop allowing the things of this world to satisfy your soul and dull your hunger for God!

3. Take your next step.

1 Peter 2:2-3, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

For God’s Word to change your life, it must be practical and experiential—not simply theoretical and intellectual. t. To become like God demands we obey God’s Word!

As you grow in your relationship with God’s Word, you become more like God’s Son!