Spiritual growth is a journey, and that means it takes time. At the core of this journey are disciplines that help us grow spiritually. These disciplines—or habits—aren’t new; God desires for you to grow in your faith and elevate to a higher level. No matter what spiritual rut you may find yourself in, you can get out by practicing these 7 things strong Christians do.
1. Spend time in the presence of God:
Prayer will be your primary tool for abiding in Christ, prayer (which is simply talking with God) is as important in your walk with God as communication is in any other form of relationship without it there can be no progress. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." -Philippians 4:6 If you want to be a strong Christian, then prayer must become as natural as breathing. "Pray without ceasing"1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. Feed your spirit:
Just as your physical body needs food, so your spiritual life needs nourishment "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." -Matthew 4:4 So "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" -1 Peter 2:2 Have you ever seen how desperate a baby is for milk? Develop that same desperation for the word of God, where your soul cries out for it and you have to have it!
Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
3. Build your faith:
As you spend time in the word of God, your faith will begin to grow. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” therefore the devine formula for increasing your faith is the word of God. If you want to be a strong Christian, then you must develop the habit of putting your faith in the promises of God’s Word.
4. Develop a sense of vision/purpose:
Helen Keller once said "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision" As you grow in your walk with Christ, you will develop a sense that God has
“assignments” for you to fulfil. It might be a temporary assignment like helping out in your church – or a lifelong assignment to be a missionary, nurse, or business person. Romans 12:2 reminds us "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
5. Help your fellow brothers and sisters:
Effective Christians realize early on that in order to stay effective they need to build up others in the body. (we are member of one body, we need each other -1 Corinthians 12:12-27) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 You'll come to realize that the body builds itself. When I build you, I also build me.
6. Serve Others:
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" -Matthew 20:28 we are here with a hope of heaven today because Jesus Christ emptied Himself "and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" - Philippians 2:7
Effective Christians must cultivate the character of Christ within -themselves by selfless service to others for their good, their advantage and their salvation. For effective Christians, service is not an inconvenience they must bear in order to avoid guilt. No, service is a way of life born out of love for Jesus.
7. Remain Focus:
More Christians lose their way because they just do not pay attention!
We become so focused on our day to day lives that we take our eyes off our heavenly goal. What destroyed our focus are the things we all face each day as individual: the things that do not seem dangerous: worry about deadlines, debts, health, busy-ness, activities, emergencies, making it, looking good, keeping up. When become focused on these things, they draw our attention, our energy and eventually our soul. We have to learn to keep the kingdom first and not allow the cares and the desire of this world overwhelm their spiritual lives.
Well, there you have it, 7 habits of a strong Christians to help you grow spiritually.
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