Pst Josh Sola Adeniyi
20th September 2026
Bible Text: Colossians 2:1–8
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 4:14–15, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Peter 3:18
Series: Spiritual Maturity — Part 1
Focus: Growing beyond spiritual infancy into a life that reflects Jesus in your understanding, character, choices and relationships.
Receiving Jesus is the foundation of your Christian life, but it is not the end of your growth. You are called to keep walking in Him, becoming rooted in your faith and increasingly like Him.
Spiritual maturity becomes visible in everyday life: what comes out of your mouth, how you behave, the choices you make and the way you respond to others. The question is not simply whether you identify as a Christian, but whether your
Grow in discernment rather than following every doctrine — 11:26
Practise forgiveness and address unresolved offences — 35:19
God’s Word is not only something to apply to other people. It must also speak into your own life.
“The word must be for us.”
When a message touches a sensitive area, resist the instinct to become defensive. Look inward. Ask what needs to change and be willing to make the adjustment.
This invitation includes everyone, not only those sitting in the congregation. No one is beyond the need for correction and growth. A teachable heart allows the Word to become personal without turning that conviction into resentment.
Jesus Christ is your foundation. Having received Him, your responsibility is to continue building on that foundation rather than remaining at the starting point.
In Colossians 2:6–8, the call to walk in Christ is joined to the instruction to become rooted, established in faith and thankful. It also comes with a warning against being drawn away by empty deception and teaching that is not according to Christ.
Maturity therefore includes discernment. You need to recognise when persuasive words are leading you away from Jesus rather than towards Him. Do not accept every teaching simply because it sounds confident or appealing.
Ephesians 4:14–15 connects growing into Christ with no longer being carried about by every wind of doctrine. The goal is not argument for its own sake, but stability in the truth and the ability to speak that truth in love.
Keep growing in your understanding of Christ so that, when you encounter something contrary to Him, you can recognise it and take your stand.
Spiritual maturity has a simple direction: becoming more like Christ.
“Your life must mirror Christ. Your behavior must mirror Christ.”
The evidence is not limited to what you know. It must also appear in how you live. Consider your speech, your behaviour and the way you interact with people. When others encounter you, what do they see?
2 Corinthians 3:18 describes transformation into the Lord’s image through the work of His Spirit. Your growth is not merely a change of label; it is a continuing transformation towards Christlikeness.
Use this as a point of self-examination. Does the way you speak reflect Jesus? Does the way you handle relationships reflect Him? Are there areas where compromise has become easier than obedience? Let the desire to resemble Christ shape what you are willing to change.
First, spiritual maturity is not automatic.
“Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen automatically.”
Getting older does not, by itself, make you spiritually mature. Maturity is not measured by your age or grey hair, but by your growing understanding of Jesus Christ. Time passing and spiritual growth are not the same thing.
Second, spiritual maturity is not instantaneous.
Growth takes time. No living thing reaches maturity immediately, and there is no shortcut to spiritual maturity. Continue growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus rather than expecting everything to happen at once. This is the direction of 2 Peter 3:18.
Third, spiritual maturity requires spiritual discipline.
The question is not always, “Is this a sin?” Maturity also considers how your choices affect another person’s faith. You may need to restrain yourself from something you could do because of its effect on those around you.
Your conduct matters beyond the church building. Be careful about your words, actions and behaviour wherever you are. Do not assume that being away from familiar surroundings removes your responsibility to represent Christ well.
A growing Christian develops an appetite for Scripture. God’s Word becomes something you want to receive, understand and carry within you—not something you avoid.
Make room to read, digest and take in what God is saying. Your relationship with the Bible must go beyond possessing a copy. The Word needs to become part of your life.
“You must not see reading of the Bible as a punishment.”
Parents, this also matters in how you guide your children. When prayer or Bible reading is used only as a response to misbehaviour, children can begin to associate the things of God with punishment. Help them experience prayer and Scripture as a normal part of life instead.
You do not need to understand everything before you begin. Take a small step. Open your Bible and keep reading. A lack of understanding today is not a reason to abandon the journey.
Give yourself to learning, and ask God to bring understanding. Growth develops as the Word becomes more than words on a page and begins to shape your life.
Your response to offence is another practical indicator of spiritual maturity.
People will disappoint you, misunderstand you and say things you do not like. You cannot build your peace around the expectation that nobody will ever offend you. Instead, keep your focus on pleasing God and learning to respond in a way that honours Him.
“Forgive and move on.”
Forgiveness does not mean refusing to address a real problem. Where an issue needs attention, speak to the person concerned and seek help from church leaders when it remains unresolved. The aim is to deal with the matter rather than continually carry it.
Grow towards forbearance—a readiness to extend patience and forgiveness—while acknowledging honestly that hurt can be difficult. You can recognise an offence, address it where necessary and still choose to let it go.
There is also a responsibility on the person causing offence. Do not repeatedly hurt others and leave them to do all the forgiving. Examine yourself. Change the behaviour that keeps creating conflict.
Maturity calls both sides forward: forgive where you have been hurt, and accept responsibility where you have hurt someone else. Life is too short to keep postponing the work of putting relationships right.
Receive before defending. When God’s Word challenges you, look for the adjustment you need to make.
Measure growth by Christlikeness. Look beyond age and knowledge to your speech, conduct and treatment of others.
Build a willing relationship with Scripture. Begin where you are and keep learning rather than waiting until everything feels easy.
Take responsibility for peace. Address unresolved matters, practise forgiveness and stop repeating behaviour that hurts others.
Pray in response to the teaching.
Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, the foundation of my faith. Help me to remain rooted in Him and continue growing.
Colossians 2:6–7
Lord, give me a teachable heart. Help me to receive correction without resentment and make the changes Your Word reveals.
Father, deepen my understanding of Your truth. Keep me from being carried away by persuasive teaching that does not lead me towards Christ.
Ephesians 4:14–15
Holy Spirit, make my life more like Jesus. Transform my speech, behaviour, attitudes and relationships.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Lord, give me patience and discipline to grow. Help me to keep learning and obeying without looking for shortcuts.
Father, give me a genuine love for Your Word. Help me to read with willingness, receive understanding and make Scripture part of my daily life.
Lord, help me to forgive and address unresolved offences wisely. Where I have hurt others, give me humility to accept responsibility and change.
Father, help me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus. Let my life increasingly reflect the One I follow.
2 Peter 3:18
May the Lord help you grow in His knowledge and understanding.
May your heart remain teachable, your faith remain rooted in Christ and your life increasingly reflect His character. May His Word become a source of understanding that you receive with willingness.
May He strengthen you to practise discipline, forgive sincerely and take responsibility for your relationships.
You will not remain content with spiritual infancy. By God’s grace, you will continue growing into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We will love to keep you uppdated on all our church events, activities and special programs. Subscribe to our newsletter by providing your email address below.
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved.
