“How do I know if I am maturing?”

Hebrews 6:1 (TLB) - Let us stop going over the same old ground again and again…Let us go on instead to other things and become mature…

What is maturity? 

Introduction:  What maturity is NOT…Maturity is not age, appearance, and has nothing to do achievement or academics.

1.    Maturity begins with awareness.

Psalm 26:2-4 (NLT) - ² Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. ³ For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. ⁴ I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites.

2. Maturity is sensitive to others.

James 2:8 (NIV) - If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (CEV) - What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. ³ What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.

3. Maturity masters its own mouth.

James 3:2 (TEV) - All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not use any harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will build up and encourage those who hear you.

James 1:26 (TEV) - Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself.

4. Maturity makes peace, not trouble.

James 4:1 (ICB) - Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 - My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. Your behavior is so immature that I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. ² So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, ³ because you are not yet spiritually mature. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritually mature and that you are acting like the people of this world.

5. Maturity finds purpose in its problems.

Romans 8:28 (NLT2) - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

James 1:22-25 (NLT2) - But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

6. Maturity has learned to praise God despite its problems.

James 1:2-3 (NIV) - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT2) - Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:1 (NLT2) - I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

7. Maturity is patient and prayerful.

James 5:7-11 (NLT2) - Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. ⁸ You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy….¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 1:5 (NLT2) - If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you…

James 1:6 (NIV) - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 1:12 (NLT2) - God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.