Have you ever been described as dull? Most of us hope that word is never used to describe our personality –or our hair color! But could we be spiritually dull?
I know I certainly was! I was asleep and lacked interest or excitement about anything spiritual. Fortunately, that was several decades ago.
Have you heard that Paul specifically addresses people who are spiritually dull? (Hebrews, chapter 5) In verses 12-14 he explains that babies need milk for they can’t yet eat solid food. As an adult, my first thought is, “Good! Out with the milk and in with the pizza!” But wait. Paul goes on to say that solid food is for those who are spiritually mature.
The question then, is, “How do we become spiritually mature?” What can we do to move from dull, asleep and disinterested, to spiritually bright, awake and passionate?
The answer is simple, and we can find it in a variety of places – most importantly, in the Bible. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” If God’s own Son says that the Word of God is the solid food we need for life, then strap on the feedbag! I want some solids!
In Psalm 119, David describes God’s Word as a lamp and a light to our feet. God’s Word can be a source of light for our path, and consequently, can provide direction for our spiritual growth. My own sense of direction often fails me, but God’s never leads us astray.
In Romans 10:17, Paul says that faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes through the Word of God. Get out the Q-tips! 🙂 Our spiritual ears can be cleaned out and opened to hear God’s Word, which can then contribute to our spiritual growth.
There are hundreds of scriptures that speak about the importance of understanding and relying on God’s Words. In the book I’m currently reading, “The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi,” Kathie Lee Gifford says it this way: The answer to every question, every want and every need, is available to us in God’s Word.
No need for Google! The secret to spiritual maturity is the Bible. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and it tells us to be doers of the Word (2 Timothy 3:16, James 1:22). In other words, we must study God’s Word, marinate in God’s Word, and apply God’s Word. We must dive deeply into His Word, swim in it, lather it on our faces… Okay, you get the point!
There’s no way to get around the fact that each of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth. If we no longer want to be spoon-fed we must learn to feed ourselves from the word of God. If we make that a priority and not allow other things to push it aside, we can increase our understanding and our experience of God. We can learn to be spiritually mature – awake, energized and shining brightly.
– Enjoy the results of being in God’s Word today and every day.
