In today’s passage, we are reminded that our growth as Christians is a long-term process. We do not instantly understand all spiritual things at the moment of salvation. Instead, we develop wisdom over time through Bible study, prayer, and obedience to God’s principles and commands. With diligence, we increasingly learn how to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil, and divine will and personal impressions.

One of the biggest dangers for believers is a failure to mature. To grow, we must have nourishment from God’s Word, and to become strong, we need the exercise of obedience. Otherwise, we would easily be deceived, tossed about, and distracted by every new teaching that comes our way (Eph. 4:13-14). What’s more, we wouldn’t become familiar with deeper spiritual truths. Our grasp of God’s greatness would be minuscule and our appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice, shallow. And the Bible would remain a confusing and unappealing book to us.

Growing shouldn’t be considered optional in a believer’s life. Too often we think spiritual immaturity is normal, but God doesn’t. He has greater hopes and plans for our relationship with Him.