2. What is the right view about gaining spiritual maturity, and why?

² There is also a growth for Christians from spiritual childhood into spiritual adulthood, Christian maturity. This spiritual maturity is not an unattainable, elusive goal, nor something to be reached only by a select few. Just as physical maturity is anticipated as a natural attainment for living creatures, so spiritual maturity should be anticipated and sought after by every Christian “babe.” It is within the reach of all who put forth the needed effort. One’s place of residence, experience, abilities or educational background are not the determining factors. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians who had not yet become spiritual adults to “press on to maturity.” (Heb. 6:1) In order to do so they first had to recognize their true spiritual condition and then work to make progress.

IDENTIFYING SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

3. Describe an immature, “fleshly” Christian.

³ According to the Bible, an immature Christian is “fleshly,” that is, he usually acts according to principles followed by men alienated from God and Christ. Back in the first century there were such immature Christians in the congregation at Corinth. Paul was unable to speak to them “as to spiritual men,” but had to speak to them “as to fleshly men, as to babes in Christ.” He fed them only “milk” of Christian truth, for they were not “strong enough.” Because of their being “fleshly,” jealousy, strife and sectarianism existed among them.​—1 Cor. 3:1-4.

4. What questions might we ask about ourselves to determine whether we are “fleshly” or not?

⁴ Are any of us like that​—unstable, still inclined to follow men? Are some “fleshly” or worldly in their thinking, usually critical of their brothers and the work they are doing rather than working harmoniously with them under the headship of Christ? Are there some who have not as yet developed the love that motivates one to expend oneself for the upbuilding of the Christian congregation? Then they do indeed need to strive to attain Christian maturity.

5. Why did the apostle Paul urge certain Christians to “press on to maturity”?

⁵ Also in the first century, some Christians had failed to progress beyond the “elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God.” This was despite the fact that adequate time had passed for them to have grown sufficiently, not only to have acquired a solid and mature faith, but also to have gained the qualifications to teach others in a general way. Note the apostle Paul’s strong words to them: “Although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God; and you have become such as need milk, not solid food. For everyone that partakes of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong. For this reason, now that we have left the primary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again.”​—Heb. 5:12–6:1.

6. How might some today be in need of similar admonition?

⁶ Are there any among us who have been associated with the Christian congregation for years and yet are not able to teach others the basic doctrines of the Bible? After years of association with God’s people, do some still have difficulty in letting their conscience distinguish right from wrong? Do they still want others to make decisions for them in matters of conscience? Any who find themselves still needing instruction in the basics of Christian teaching and living should certainly be working hard to acquire maturity. Christians should not be like builders who never get beyond the foundation of the building, the “foundation” in this case being elementary or primary doctrines about Christ. They should press on to complete the building or the superstructure that rests upon that foundation, namely, the more advanced teaching about God’s purpose as revealed through his Son.

ATTAINING SPIRITUAL MATURITY

8. How does the attaining of spiritual maturity differ from gaining physical maturity?

⁸ But how can one cease to be a “fleshly” man and attain spiritual maturity? Unlike physical maturity, which is automatic, spiritual adulthood is attained through sincere effort. It requires humility and a genuine desire to conform one’s life to the pattern outlined for Christians in God’s Word. It involves study and meditation to acquire a deep understanding of God’s will and purpose, learning to rely on him instead of on human reasoning. Have you thus applied yourself with a view to spiritual growth? Are you acting in accord with the Scriptural counsel to “stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty”?​—1 Cor. 16:13; Heb. 5:14.

9. What effect does study and application of God’s Word have on the Christian “babe”?

⁹ As the Christian “babe” continues studying the Scriptures and applies what he learns, his advancement in appreciation of God’s truth and more difficult doctrines is accompanied by a corresponding growth in his spiritual outlook and Christian personality. Changes take place in his thinking, in his viewpoint, and in his life. He finds that his interests and motivations are becoming related to spiritual matters, for God’s truth is having a profound and beneficial effect on his life. He is following the exhortation from God’s Word to “quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”​—Rom. 12:2.

10. What changes take place as the maturing Christian ‘makes his mind over’?

¹⁰ This ‘making over of the mind’ has a profound effect on the personality of the maturing Christian. The worldly outlook, with its reasonings, its emphasis on material things and worldly pleasures, is progressively replaced with an interest in spiritual matters and in doing the will of Jehovah God. In place of the works of the flesh, the fruitage of God’s spirit​—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control—​becomes more and more apparent. A new force or dominant spirit is at work within him. He is heeding the Bible’s counsel: “Put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his deceptive desires; but . . . you should be made new in the force actuating your mind, and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”​—Eph. 4:22-24; Gal. 5:19-23.

11. What is the “force” actuating the mind of a mature Christian, and how does it cause him to react to situations calling for moral decisions?

¹¹ When the old personality is put away and a new force or dominant spirit is actuating the mind, the Christian has attained maturity. Formerly the force actuating his mind was the one that had resulted from the things taught and experienced in the world. These things fed into the mind developed in him certain patterns of thinking and heart motivation. Thus, when he heard a matter requiring a moral decision, this force within his mind directed him in a worldly direction. But, as a mature Christian, he has a new force or spirit impelling him to act. As a result of his regular, prayerful study of God’s Word of truth and the operation of God’s spirit, this actuating force inclines him in a righteous direction. Hence, when a matter is presented to him involving a moral decision, his mind is bent by this new “force” or dominant attitude toward a righteous, spiritual course. He thus preserves a fine relationship with Jehovah God and can rest assured of gaining the reward of everlasting life.