Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health

1. Cultivate a Thirst for God

"I do want to know you more," said the soloist, just before the sermon.

Spiritual Hunger. A genuine Christian life is characterized by an increasing desire to know God more deeply. This thirst is not a one-time experience but a continual, growing longing that intensifies with time. The more one knows God, the more one wants to know Him.

Stages of Spiritual Thirst:

• Empty Soul: Searching for meaning in worldly pursuits
• Dry Soul: Experiencing spiritual drought
• Satisfied Soul: Delighting in God's presence while craving more

Divine Invitation. God initiates spiritual thirst and stands ready to satisfy it. The very desire to know God is a gift from Him, demonstrating His active work in a believer's heart. As believers draw closer to God, their hunger for His presence becomes more profound and transformative.

2. Be Governed by God's Word

"The sum and substance of the preparation needed for a coming eternity is that you believe what the Bible tells you and do what the Bible bids you."

Scripture as Life's Compass. The Bible is not just a book to be read, but a living guide that should increasingly govern every aspect of life. Growing Christians consistently seek biblical guidance in decisions, relationships, and personal conduct.

Practical Biblical Application:

• Consciously ask "What does the Bible say?" in various situations
• Meditate on Scripture, not just read it
• Allow biblical principles to reshape beliefs and actions
• Seek to understand and apply Scripture in daily life

Transformative Engagement. True spiritual growth occurs when Scripture moves from being an external text to an internal compass, shaping thoughts, motivations, and behaviors. The goal is not merely knowledge, but comprehensive life transformation.

3. Grow in Love for Others

"The more a person loves, the closer he approaches the image of God."

Love as Christian Distinctive. Love is the most critical marker of Christian maturity. Jesus identified love as the primary characteristic that distinguishes His followers, emphasizing love for both believers and non-believers.

Dimensions of Christian Love:

• Love for fellow believers
• Love for the lost
• Love for family
• Love that transcends natural affection

Supernatural Source. Christian love is not merely human sentiment but a divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit enables believers to love beyond natural human capacity, reflecting God's own character of love.

4. Develop Sensitivity to God's Presence

"If the soul of the believer is in a healthy condition, he will take occasion to frequently come into God's presence on purpose to have communion with Him."

Perceiving Divine Proximity. Spiritual growth involves becoming more consistently aware of God's omnipresence. This awareness is not mystical but grounded in biblical truth and mediated through Scripture.

Developing Spiritual Perception:

• Regularly read and meditate on Scripture
• Practice intentional prayer
• Recognize God's presence in ordinary moments
• Develop "God eyes" that see divine activity

Continuous Communion. Growing Christians learn to experience God's presence not as occasional encounters but as a constant, underlying reality of life.

5. Demonstrate Concern for Others' Needs

"There is nothing in which men resemble God more truly than in doing good to others."

Holistic Compassion. True Christian maturity involves caring for both spiritual and physical needs of others. Jesus modeled a comprehensive approach to human care that addressed both eternal and immediate concerns.

Practical Compassion Strategies:

• Look for hidden needs in familiar environments
• Balance spiritual and temporal assistance
• Serve without expectation of personal benefit
• Develop empathy and sensitivity to others' struggles

Ministry as Worship. Meeting others' needs becomes an act of worship, reflecting Christ's own servant-hearted approach to humanity.

6. Delight in the Community of Believers

"The closer you are to the Lord, the closer you will be to other believers."

Church as Spiritual Family. Growing Christians find genuine joy and satisfaction in Christian community. The church is not just an institution but a living organism where God's presence is uniquely manifested.

Characteristics of Healthy Church Engagement:

• Willingly participating in congregational life
• Finding delight in fellow believers
• Supporting church ministry
• Valuing corporate spiritual experiences

Spiritual Interdependence. Individual Christian growth is intrinsically connected to collective spiritual health.

7. Embrace Spiritual Disciplines

"Without a disciplined life you will stagnate as a Christian."

Intentional Spiritual Formation. Spiritual disciplines are divinely ordained practices that facilitate personal transformation and intimacy with God.

Key Spiritual Disciplines:

• Scripture meditation
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Worship
• Service
• Solitude

Transformative Practice. Disciplines are not mere religious rituals but channels of divine grace that shape character and deepen relationship with God.

8. Maintain Sensitivity to Sin

"I am convinced that the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin."

Godly Conviction. Spiritual maturity involves increasing awareness of sin's destructive nature and a genuine, heart-level grief over personal failings.

Healthy Spiritual Mourning:

• Recognizing sin's offense against God
• Experiencing genuine repentance
• Maintaining humility
• Seeking continuous transformation

Grace-Driven Sensitivity. This awareness is not about condemnation but about growing closer to God's holiness.

9. Practice Quick Forgiveness

"The unforgiving spirit . . . is the number one killer of spiritual life."

Forgiveness as Spiritual Discipline. Growing Christians develop a quicker, more gracious capacity to forgive, reflecting God's own forgiveness.

Forgiveness Principles:

• Be ready to forgive
• Distinguish between readiness and extending forgiveness
• Release personal bitterness
• Seek reconciliation

Transformative Mercy. Forgiveness becomes a powerful testimony of God's transformative grace.

10. Long for Eternal Communion with Jesus

"You may judge of a man by what he groans after."

Heavenly Perspective. Mature Christians develop an increasing desire for eternal communion with Jesus, viewing earthly life through the lens of ultimate redemption.

Characteristics of Eternal Longing:

• Growing dissatisfaction with temporal pursuits
• Increasing appreciation for spiritual realities
• Anticipation of complete union with Christ

Hope-Filled Orientation. This yearning provides perspective, motivation, and comfort in life's challenges.

Last updated: January 2, 2025