Spiritual Growth Part 2

Obstacles to Spiritual Growth

Sin and Temptation

Sin is one of the greatest hindrances to our spiritual growth. When we give in to temptation and allow sin to take root in our lives, it separates us from God. James 1:14-15 warns, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.” Overcoming sin requires repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness, and actively turning away from sinful behaviors. There’s no way to avoid being tempted by sin, but we can definitely fight against those temptations by praying and always keeping your heart on God. Jesus was also temped by Satan himself and don’t forget, Satan also knows the scriptures which he tried to use against Jesus, but failed. The reason why he tried to tempt Jesus was because Satan is prideful and thinks he can overthrow God. He didn’t want Jesus to succeed. With that being said, don’t let Satan stop you from being successful! 

Worldly Distractions

The world bombards us with distractions that can deter us from our spiritual journey. Materialism, the pursuit of success, and the allure of entertainment can consume our time and energy, leaving little room for spiritual growth. In 1 John 2:15-16, we are warned not to love the world or the things in the world, for “all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” To grow spiritually, we must prioritize our relationship with God over worldly pursuit. We have to try to put God first in everything we do. In scripture, Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters, you’ll end up loving one and hating the other, Matthew 6:24.

Believing Lies and False Teachers

I think this one is huge for brand new Christians because you’re new in your walk with Christ and it’s so easy to get taken advantage of false teachers, so you have to be very careful and make sure you are reading God’s word so you know the truth. Believing lies and sitting under false teachers are significant obstacles to spiritual growth. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV), the apostle Paul warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” This passage underscores the danger of seeking teachings that align with our desires rather than the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

False teachers can distort the gospel, leading believers astray from the path of spiritual maturity. It is essential to discern truth from deception, diligently studying the Scriptures to stay grounded in God’s Word, and relying on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Only by upholding the truth and rejecting falsehood can we safeguard our spiritual growth and maintain a genuine relationship with Christ.

Outro!

I hope you enjoyed part 2 of Spiritual Growth! Part 3, which will be the last and final chapter of this series. If you have any prayer requests or questions, shoot me an email and I’ll be there to help! In the meantime, enjoy this meme.