Overview of Spiritual Growth
The goal of the believer is to be transformed spiritually. The importance of this simple
concept carries complex intricacies and manifests itself in the physical. The process can also be
called sanctification. Whatever you identify it as is not as important as ensuring that it is
occurring. Dempsy and Early have masterfully isolated this process into three main areas.
First, is the mind. Spiritual formation is not merely doing spiritual disciplines.1 While
discipline is an aspect of transformation, it begins in the mind being conformed or molded into a
mind that would reflect the very thoughts of Jesus. The mind must learn what it means to be like
Christ. This process develops as the believer consumes or reads the Bible (Romas 12:2). This
process is gradual and must be continually repeated.
The second is the body. In the Marine Corps, I have heard many profound statements and
much more lacking profundity. Among the most impressionable was the concept of where the
mind goes the body will follow. I have personally found this to be true both in the secular and
spiritual. In scripture, we find that doing the will of God is a partnership established by God and
carried out by ourselves (Phil. 2:12-13). After we begin to allow the truth of the Bible to change
our thought process we can then begin to dramatically augment our output. Our part is to make
the effort to do "his good purpose."2
Third, is the spirit or soul. While Dempsey and Early do make a distinction between the
spirit and soul, it can be interchangeable. The distinction between the two would be that the spirit
is redeemed once and for all, while the soul can change periodically. The soul would be
considered the emotional unit of the person. So, it stands to reason then that the if you are
1 Dave Earley, “The Process of Being Changed to Be like Jesus,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 7.
2 Ibid, 29.
submitting your mind to Christ and presenting your body for good works in Christ then your
spirit or emotions will be directed and in line with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18).
Living Under the Control of the Holy Spirit
After you have successfully submitted your mind to Christ, presented your body as a
vessel for work, and are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you then you can continue to remove
the desire of the flesh and fulfill the desire of the Spirit of God. Essentially, this process occurs
over time, through repeated practice, and through discipline. Another way to look at being
controlled or led by the Holy Spirit is through being a disciple of Christ. Being a disciple of
Christ can be defined as being a follower of Christ, being changed by Christ, and is committed to
the mission of Christ.3 This is important especially when you understand that to be like Christ is
to know God and to do His will (John 8:7). Through being a follower of Christ you will exhibit
the fruit of the Spirit and not of the flesh (Gal. 5:22-23).
Early uses the contrast found in scripture between the flesh and the spirit being opposite
of one another. When we follow the flesh and exemplify the work of the flesh we can not call
ourselves followers of Christ at that moment. When we are fulfilling the work of the Spirit we
can not fulfill the work of the flesh and can then honestly claim to be followers and disciples of
Christ. We choose to live out the truth that we have exposed our minds to through scripture,
which then filters into our reason and works its way into our doing, and then manifests itself into
good works that come about as a result of our submission to the guidance of the knowledge of
the Bible coupled with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
3 Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your
Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013).
When we allow the flesh to guide us, we quench the leadership of the Holy Spirit
willingly. We choose to not follow Christ and allow our sinful passions and nature to be in charge
of our mind, body, and soul or emotions. Our spirit belongs to Christ, but all else we have
surrendered back to sin. We must continue to choose what we know is right, physically
implement truth into our lives, live out that truth and then continue to trust the Holy Spirit's
guidance. By living a life of faith through this process we please God, we continue to be
followers of Christ, and we allow the Holy Spirit to lead our lives.
Spiritual Growth Assessment
I must shamefully admit that my initial view of my spiritual health before taking this
assessment was filled with hubris. Quickly did my grand thoughts of my false spiritual strength
submit to reality. My scores were sadly low. However, while the truth hurts it also brings a fresh
perspective and creates room for growth.
In the up category the "Love for God" I scored a 3 overall. In the category "Love for one
another" I scored much better but still very low with a 6.8 overall. In the final category "Love for
our Neighbors", I scored critically low again with an overall score of 2.4.
What this assessment has shown me is that I think too highly of myself and not much of
others or God. That is a hard pill to swallow. Thankfully, with books such as “The Process of
Being Changed to Be like Jesus” I can identify the problem and then correct it accordingly.
Three positive aspects from looking introspectively that I have discovered are the areas I
am weakest, my strengths, and then reality. Knowing the truth I can now begin to fix the problem
and strengthen the areas I am doing well. The weakest area that I was surprised to discover was
my love for God. Before taking this assessment I would have confidently stated that I am a
follower of Christ and a disciplined lover of God. However, when answering the questions
regarding my daily Bible reading, prayer time, and scripture memorization to name a few I found
that I have greatly neglected the fundamentals of discipleship. I can not tell you how long I have
been so far misaligned with these basic tenets. I have allowed the business of life to cloud the
foundation for living.
I was not surprised to find that my strengths lie in knowing my spiritual gift and using it.
I teach. I utilize this gift regularly and seek out the opportunity to convey information to others. I
love it. This was the strongest point in the assessment. Every other category declined rapidly. I
have created a detailed personal development plan to reignite my passion and desire to walk
humbly before God and to reach out to others to make Christ known.
Personal Development Plan
Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.4 Before you can bring to
help others you must first correct yourself. This development plan is purposed for my own self-
benefit and correction in spiritual growth. It is my responsibility to correct the mistakes that I
have made and discontinue making choices that prevent me from following Christ and honoring
God. I have the ability to choose my response, this is the meaning of being responsible.5
Step 1: Scripture Memorization
The importance and need for memorizing scripture are vital to cleaning the mind and
allowing it to be transformed into the mind of Christ. It is through scripture that I become closer
to Christ and know what following after Christ looks like. The Holy Spirit also plays a major
factor in this role by continuing to reveal scriptural truth allowing me to make a direct
4 Peterson, Jordan B., 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Luminate Psychological Services,2018)
147.
5 Covey, Stephen R., The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Free Press,2003), 71.
application. Through the renewing of my mind through scripture I become more Spirit-filled and
led.
Step 2: Proactive Prayer
Making time for thoughtful and careful prayer is vital to growth. Prayer takes in the man
in his whole being, mind, body, and soul.6 I plan to make time 3 days a week on my morning
walks to take time to be thankful, reflective, and intercede on the behalf of loved ones and those
who do not know Christ.
Step 3: Develop Discipleship Friend Groups
This is an area that I struggle with greatly. My time is sparse and precious. However, I
will make the effort to meet with fellow believers once a month. The aim will be to have a time
of confession, exhortation, and revelation. I will pour into them the truths I have learned over the
month and will listen to what they have learned as well.
Step 4: Encourage and Educate Others
With this step, I will continue to teach and exhort others in the faith. However, I will be
more intentional. I will find one to two brother's in Christ that I can personally disciple and
instruct in their spiritual growth.
Step 5: Seek Intentional Gospel Opportunities
It has been a long time since I have mindfully asked the Holy Spirit to guide me to an
appointment that He has orchestrated. I will be more intent and alert for these types of meetings.
In my prayer time, I will specifically ask the Lord to help me be prepared and seize the
opportunity to share the Gospel.
Step 6: Regularly Reevaluate Me
6 Bounds, Edward McKendree. The Essentials of Prayer, 3.
Bounds, Edward McKendree. The Essentials of Prayer, Darolt Books, 2020. ProQuest Ebook
Central,https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?
docID=6433085.
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal
Change. Newburyport: RosettaBooks, 2013. Accessed September 9, 2022. ProQuest
Ebook Central.
Dave Earley, “The Process of Being Changed to Be like Jesus,” in Spiritual Formation Is...:
How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic,
2018), 7.
Jordan B. Peterson. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Toronto: Random House Canada,
2018.
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan,2013).
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