How You Can Avoid Spiritual Immaturity

　　For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. -Ezra 7:10

　　In a survey conducted by the Barna Research Group, nearly 1/3 of all born-again Christians stated that all good people will go to heaven, whether they have embraced Jesus Christ or not.

　　Another astonishing fact found was that while 88% in a recent poll believe Jesus Christ was a real person, what they believe about Him differs sharply from Scriptural teaching. About 42% (even a quarter of the “born again” Christians) believe that while on earth, Jesus sinned just like other people. Around 61% believe the devil is just a symbol of evil, not a living being. And 54% think that if people are good enough, they will earn a place in heaven regardless of their religious beliefs.

　　As shocking as many of those statistics are, especially those that deal with “born-again” Christians, there’s a very important inference that can be made from them: people aren’t growing in their faith.

　　You see, many people who are raised in a “Christian” home learn the basics of the faith. Then, when they’re about 10 to 12 years old, they begin coasting spiritually. And very often they coast for decades, until one day when they’re 50, and they realize they have the biblical knowledge of a 10-year-old.

　　Don’t allow yourself to coast in the spiritual life. Instead, like the prophet Ezra, grow deeper in God’s Word by devoting yourself to studying and observing it every day!

　　Prayer Challenge

　　Ask God to give you insight and discipline to study His Word regularly to avoid coasting through life spiritually.

　　Questions for Thought

　　Are there areas in your spiritual life where you’ve been guilty of just coasting? What are they?

　　What’s a practical plan for you to get in God’s Word regularly to avoid the problem of spiritual immaturity?

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