A well baby check up is a common practice in our society. Parents like to know that their new arrival is in top shape and growing according to schedule. Parents recognize the need to keep up with their child’s progress in life: mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. This physical truth is also a spiritual one. The scriptures tell us that spiritual growth is to be taken seriously. The apostle Peter addressed this issue in a number of scriptures. He said, “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (1 Peter 2:2); as well as, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Just as growth is essential in life, so is spiritual growth.

            As physical requirements are essential to physical growth, we understand that certain requirements are essential to spiritual growth. These requirements involve basic principles. Before life, a birth must of necessity take place, this is axiomatic. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus, he said, “Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Once this new birth has taken place the child of God must keep itself from sin. Satan’s tools consist of “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life” (1 John 2:16). The flesh seeks to be gratified, the eyes see and covet, and the desire to be someone special has resulted in the fall of many. In order to keep ourselves pure we must develop an attitude of self denial: proper spiritual priorities must be established. Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?” (Matthew 16:24-26). The apostle Paul said, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Denying oneself will keep the child of God free from sin. Just as disease will destroy the physical body, so also will sin destroy the spiritual: James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death” (James 1:12-15). Another facet of spiritual growth involves a balanced diet, of spiritual food. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6): the spiritual man needs spiritual food. But food alone is insufficient to the obtaining of proper growth: man also needs exercise. The Hebrew writer said, “But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Another prerequisite of growth is a healthy environment. Paul warned Christians that “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). If the child of God does not endeavor to control their environment, they are in danger of corruption. All of these factors are necessary to the achieving of spiritual growth. All of which, takes time. The Hebrew writer rebuked his reader, when he said, “For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you” (Hebrews 5:12). Physical and spiritual growth requires diligence.

            How does an individual know if they are spiritually healthy? What type of questions do we need to ask ourselves to determine our spiritual health? Here are just a few: “Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), Have you grown in the knowledge of God’s word? “That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), Do you behave as an adult, or as a child? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23), Are you producing godly fruit?

            Spiritual growth will not happen by accident, nor is it something that happens overnight. Spiritual growth requires diligence and perseverance, and it requires action. How’s your health maintenance check?