Most of us probably remember the story of Peter Pan – a boy who refused to grow up. Wishing to escape the responsibilities of adulthood, Peter Pan was determined to stay eternally young and carefree in Never Never Land. There is something about living a carefree life. It offers us joys of adolescence without the responsibilities of adulthood. And those who embrace this lifestyle become like Peter Pan, caught between the man he didn’t want to become and the boy he could no longer be.
Spiritually speaking, there are many people who become children of God, but never become adults and grow to spiritual maturity. Although they may be in their 20’s or older, they remain spiritual teenagers. The Bible gives us several examples of Christian adolescents wrapped in adult bodies. *For example a man by the name of John Mark in Acts 12&13 “a man who walked away”, or Demas in 2 Timothy 4 “a man who loved the world”, or Diotrephes in 3 John “a man who wanted his way.”
Each of these men fell under 3 different Characteristics of Spiritual Adolescents.
- Instability when the going is rough. “When confrontation came John Mark ran.”
- Irresponsibility when the world is appealing. “Demas loved the things of this world over heavenly.”
- Insensitivity when the will is challenged. “Diotrephes was not open to the counsel of others. He was stubborn.”
Do you see any of these traits in your life?
- Instability – avoids any type of difficult situation
- Irresponsibility – selfish
- Insensitivity – stubborn
Facts About Spiritual Maturity
- It’s Not Automatic Hebrews 5:12-13
“You have been Christians for a long time now, and you should be teaching others, but instead … you still need someone to teach you … When a person is still living on milk, it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life … He’s still a baby Christian!” Invest your time and energy into becoming like Christ.
- It Is A Process 2 Pet. 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Never stop learning.
- It Takes Discipline
“Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” 1 Tim 4:7b
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”
Dedicate yourself to growing deeper in your walk with the Lord.
Many of us are like Peter Pan, caught between the person we never wanted to become, and the person we no longer can be. There is no turning back the pages of time. We can only look ahead, and continue to grow spiritually.
*Chuck Swindoll – Growing Up in God’s Family – (1985 – Insight for Living)
