Stages of Spiritual Maturity

The Bible speaks to everyone, though not all are listening. It is therefore written in a manner where the parts you need meet you where you are, from the immature to the mature. We state things one way for a child and another way for an adult. For that same reason, the Bible states things in a way that might make sense to one group while being lost on, or seen differently, by another. I'm not saying that the issues addressed in the immature and transitional stages don't have validity, I'm simply saying those issues are experienced more effectively in the mature stage. Submission and obedience are good examples of issues that will be seen differently depending on your level of maturity. Various ways of seeing things are stated in the following table, depending on ones level of spiritual maturity.

Immature Transitional Mature
Values External External Internal
Motives Reward and punsihment
  1. Conformity to conventional norms.
  2. Upholding a somewhat arbitrary "law and order"
 Harmony with universal principles/love
Examples
  1. Authority figures
  2. "Moral" manipulation
  3. Truth inconsistent and unexamined.
  1. The issue is "justice", in a punitive setting.
  2. The individual is subordinated to social good.
  1. Cause and effect principles.
  2. Truth is simply reality.
  3. Respect for personhood and individual rights.
Concept of Obedience Master/slave Parent/child Free and willing cooperation
Substance of Obedience

Rules/ laws

 Truth Walking in the light
Submission Obeying the rules Following God Acceptance (let go and let God)

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