8. Dangers of Stunted Growth (B)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21
When you feed your spirit, the old man—the flesh—with his lusts is arrested and kept under control. When your flesh is left untamed, diverse lusts emerge and begin to master you.
You stand the danger of falling into the same sins that held you captive before your redemption.
Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9. Lack of Growth Keeps You on The Run
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9
The devil enjoys harassing Christians who do not show signs of spiritual growth. Satan understands the source of spiritual strength. He knows who and what can defeat him. Lack of growth equals powerlessness. Lack of spiritual growth keeps you running from a relentless enemy. The sons of Sceva tried to face a fierce enemy while unprepared as recorded in Acts 19: 14-16. The evil spirits responded by asking, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”
A well-nourished Christian has power. He is vigilant and spiritually alert. He has what is needed to resist Satan.
Read: Acts 19:14-16
10. Lack of Growth Cultivates Hypocrisy
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:22-24
A lack of spiritual growth is nurturing ground for hypocrisy. For the three and a half years Christ conducted His earthly ministry, He dwelt the hardest with the religious leaders of the law. They knew what the law demanded but never put it in practice. Christ constantly referred to them as hypocrites. A hypocrite is a phony; one who pretends to be what he is not.
When you do not take time to grow in your spiritual life you only deceive yourself. God knows when you eat and do eat the spiritual food He sets before you each day. Satan is not fooled either. He will be at your door more often than you desire.
Read: Luke 6:46