How People Grow

1. Sin is both our responsibility and our powerlessness

We are not only responsible for our sin, but also powerless to keep from sinning.

The paradox of sin. The Bible teaches a devastating truth about sin: we are fully responsible for our sinful actions, yet completely powerless to stop sinning on our own. This paradox creates a desperate need for a Savior. It's not enough to simply try harder or make better choices; our very nature is inclined towards sin.

The failure of willpower alone. Many people, including well-meaning religious leaders, mistakenly believe that overcoming sin is simply a matter of exercising willpower and making the right choices. However, this approach ignores the reality of our fallen nature and the power of ingrained patterns of behavior. Addicts and those struggling with persistent sins often find that sheer determination is not enough to break free.

The need for divine intervention. Recognizing both our responsibility and powerlessness leads us to seek help beyond ourselves. This realization is the first step towards true transformation, as it opens us up to receiving God's grace and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

2. The law alone cannot change lives; grace and the Spirit are essential

Help has come in the form of the gospel.

The limitations of rules. While the law (God's commands and moral standards) serves important purposes, it cannot, by itself, transform human hearts or behavior. In fact, the apostle Paul teaches that the law can even arouse sinful passions within us, making us more inclined to rebel.

The power of grace. God's unmerited favor, expressed most fully in the gospel of Jesus Christ, provides the foundation for real change. Grace removes the burden of condemnation and gives us a new identity as God's beloved children. This new status motivates us to live differently, not out of fear or duty, but out of love and gratitude.

The essential role of the Holy Spirit. True transformation comes through the indwelling presence and power of God's Spirit. The Holy Spirit:

• Convicts us of sin
• Empowers us to resist temptation
• Produces spiritual fruit in our lives
• Guides us into truth
• Comforts and encourages us in times of struggle

3. Spiritual growth requires embracing our brokenness and need for God

Spiritual poverty is experiencing the reality of our condition.

The blessing of spiritual poverty. Jesus taught that those who are "poor in spirit" are blessed. This counterintuitive statement reveals a profound truth: recognizing our deep need for God is the starting point for true spiritual growth. When we embrace our brokenness and incompleteness, we open ourselves to receive God's transforming grace.

Hunger for God. Spiritual poverty creates a genuine hunger for God and His ways. Those who are aware of their neediness are more motivated to seek God wholeheartedly. This hunger drives us to pursue spiritual disciplines, engage in meaningful relationships, and remain committed to the growth process even when it's difficult.

Overcoming self-sufficiency. Many people, especially those who appear outwardly successful or religiously devout, struggle to admit their brokenness and need for God. This self-sufficiency becomes a major obstacle to spiritual growth. Embracing spiritual poverty requires humility and a willingness to be vulnerable before God and others.

4. Obedience to God encompasses all aspects of life, not just religious practices

Obedience, for spiritual growth purposes, is to be God-directed, not self-directed.

Holistic obedience. True obedience to God is not limited to religious activities or moral behavior. It involves surrendering every area of life to God's direction and purposes. This includes:

• Relationships
• Career and work ethic
• Financial decisions
• Use of time and resources
• Thought life and attitudes
• Emotional health

Internal and external alignment. Biblical obedience requires both internal heart transformation and external behavioral change. It's not enough to simply modify our outward actions; God desires our motivations, desires, and values to align with His.

Listening and following. Obedience in the biblical sense is closely tied to the concept of listening. It involves attentively hearing God's voice through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. True obedience then follows through with action based on what we've heard from God.

5. Repentance involves a total change of mind and life direction

Repentance, simply put, is a change of direction.

More than behavior modification. Biblical repentance goes far beyond simply feeling sorry for sin or trying to change a specific behavior. It involves a radical reorientation of one's entire life. This includes:

• A change in thinking and worldview
• A shift in values and priorities
• New patterns of behavior and relationships

Turning toward God. True repentance always involves turning away from sin and self-centeredness and turning toward God. It's a recognition that our way of living apart from God leads to destruction, and that His ways lead to life and flourishing.

An ongoing process. Repentance is not a one-time event, but an ongoing aspect of the Christian life. As we grow spiritually, the Holy Spirit continually reveals areas that need to change, prompting us to deeper levels of repentance and transformation.

6. The Holy Spirit is crucial for personal transformation and growth

The Spirit begins the process of growth by wooing us to Jesus, and he is working to finish the task.

The Spirit's multifaceted work. The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in every aspect of spiritual growth:

• Conviction of sin
• Illumination of Scripture
• Guidance in decision-making
• Empowerment for obedience
• Comfort in times of struggle
• Production of spiritual fruit

Dependence on the Spirit. Recognizing our powerlessness to change ourselves, we must learn to rely on the Holy Spirit's transforming power. This involves:

• Asking for the Spirit's help daily
• Being attentive to the Spirit's promptings
• Yielding to the Spirit's direction
• Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives

The Spirit and the Word. The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with Scripture to bring about growth. As we study and meditate on God's Word, the Spirit applies its truth to our hearts and empowers us to live it out.

7. Healthy relationships and community support are vital for spiritual maturity

To be truly biblical, as well as truly effective, the growth process must include the Body of Christ.

God's design for growth. The Bible consistently portrays spiritual growth as a communal process, not an individual endeavor. God intends for us to mature within the context of loving relationships and supportive community.

The Body of Christ. The church, as the Body of Christ, plays a crucial role in spiritual formation. Within this community, we experience:

• Encouragement and accountability
• Opportunities to use our spiritual gifts
• Practical support in times of need
• Diverse perspectives and wisdom
• A safe place to confess and find healing

Depth of relationship. Surface-level interactions are not enough for true spiritual growth. We need deep, vulnerable relationships where we can be fully known and loved. This level of intimacy creates the context for healing, character development, and lasting change.

8. Suffering and discipline play important roles in the growth process

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

The purpose of suffering. While not all suffering is directly from God, He uses difficult experiences to shape our character and deepen our dependence on Him. Suffering can:

• Reveal areas of weakness or sin in our lives
• Increase our compassion for others
• Deepen our trust in God's faithfulness
• Produce perseverance and hope

The need for discipline. Spiritual growth requires discipline, both self-discipline and loving correction from others. This discipline:

• Provides structure for growth
• Helps us overcome destructive patterns
• Teaches us to delay gratification
• Aligns our lives with God's purposes

Embracing discomfort. Growth often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing challenges. While this process can be painful, it leads to maturity and a deeper experience of God's grace.

9. True biblical growth integrates both internal and external obedience

Alison took a different approach to obedience as a means of resolving her struggles.

Balanced growth. Authentic spiritual transformation involves changes in both our inner world (thoughts, emotions, motivations) and our outer behavior. Focusing on only one aspect leads to imbalanced growth.

Internal transformation. True change begins with heart-level transformation:

• Renewing our minds through Scripture
• Healing emotional wounds
• Aligning our values with God's
• Cultivating godly character

External obedience. Internal change must be accompanied by concrete actions:

• Practicing spiritual disciplines
• Serving others sacrificially
• Making ethical choices in daily life
• Pursuing reconciliation in relationships

Integration of faith and life. Biblical growth seeks to apply spiritual truths to every area of life, not compartmentalizing faith as separate from "real life." This holistic approach leads to a more consistent and impactful Christian witness.

Last updated: January 24, 2025