I PETER 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"II Peter 3:18 " But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
Most of us have grown from childhood to adulthood. Growing is a process that takes time to develop from one stage to the next. We sometimes feel that Christians grow more like Christ every day without any action, no suffering, pain, or doubts and arrive to full blown, mature Christians.
The fact of the matter is that Christians growth comes through pain, heartaches, disappointments and obedience to the Word of God.
Growing Defined: To develop into maturity.
I GROWING REQUIRES:
a. Getting ride of things that hinders your growth and development. (I Peter 2:1).
b. Developing a love for the Word. (I Peter 2:2).
c. Having a strong prayer life. (Luke 18:1, Mark 11:24).
d. Be faithful in attending church. (Hebrews 10:25).
e. Fasting (Isaiah 58:6).
f. Yielding to the Spirit (Romans 6:13, 8:1).
g. Our great example is Jesus (Matthew 26:39).
h. Obey leadership (Samuel 15:22, Hebrews 13:17).
II. BATHE IN THE WORD:
a. Get joy out of reading the Word.
b. Get anchored in the Word like a tree. (Psalm 1:3, Colossians 2:7).
c. Meditate on the Word. (Joshua 1:8).
d. Realize that you have to live by the Word. (Matthew 4:4).
III. THE RESULT OF GROWING:
a. You will be an over comer. (John 4:4).
b. You gain life, eternal life. (Romans 6:22).
c. You are saved according to the Bible.
d. You put off the work of darkness. (Romans 13:12).
e. You become more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37).
f. You overcome the desire of the flesh.