What Is Your Spiritual Age?

And the winner is……………..James.


Read James 1:1-11
Title in NIV: Trials bring maturity.
Theme: Maturity

Trials bring maturity. We don’t like to hear that!! How we react to a trial determines our age of maturity. I guess being very old in these years is best!
What is your spiritual age? Your spiritual age is based on your reaction to trials and what you do with the Word held out to you. Maturity is about attitude and motives. The more you are interested in others- not self- the higher your spiritual age. (we want really high numbers, remember!!) The more you think in terms of the spiritual realm, the higher your age. The more you think on how to grow the kingdom, the higher you spiritual age.

One aspect of maturity is perseverance. Persevere until the end. Never, never, never give up. Don’t shrink back. Keep moving forward. How is your age so far?

Wisdom is another aspect of maturity, but not worldly wisdom. Wisdom of the workings of this world are nothing, just ask Solomon. Spiritual wisdom and how heaven works is everything. How is your age so far?

Another aspect is belief. Belief at all time and in all situations is important. Believe especially when things are going wrong. James says one who does not believe at all times is unstable, double minded, a tossed wave, and wishy washy. How is your age so far?

How old are you? Still a babe or a hormonal teen a person facing a mid-life crisis, a lost worker in the kingdom. Are you someone who perseveres, never shrinks back, hungers for the Word and filters every situation through the pages of the Bible? Are you someone who can be joyful in trials and look at a situation and think, “How can I use this to help others?

So, on a scale from 1-100, how old are you? Spend 10 minutes with someone and you can tell you a lot about where they are on the scale. I’m not advocating trying to determine someone else’s spiritual age, we need to work on our own. But, do they say, “Why me?” a lot and only gripe? Are they wrapped up in worldly matters? Do they ooze hope or despair in their conversation? OR Do they say, “I am going to help others with this.”? How about you? After 10 min with you, what would people say?
Vs. 9-11: What struck me was vs. 11, “the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business”. How many invisible rich people do we have walking around because they do not use what they have to help others? I’m not just thinking of money either. Are you rich in time? Help someone. Are you rich in talent? Help someone. Are you rich in encouragement? Help someone. Are you rich in knowing Jesus? Help someone know Jesus. You can be poor by the world standards and still be rich in love and knowledge of Jesus.

All these things listed require action! Maturity is action and action ups your spiritual age!