Spiritual Maturity #10

A. Last time we talked about spiritual immaturity that unintentionally leads to wrong choices that
subsequently leads to sin. These unintended sins and their consequences can cause all kinds of
problems. Not just for the individual, but for entire families as well.
Fathers and mothers are not exempt from wrong choices and unintentional sin and involve the entire family. Not talking about brazen rebellion against God. About selfish, unwise choices bring unwanted and unrealized consequences and in into our homes.
Sin has it’s influence. It affects how we think, act and takes over without realizing what’s happened. Suddenly we’re reaping a bitter harvest we never intended.
(A) Things get out of hand. Serious problems become entrenched before you know they are
there. You ever had an experience like that? Scratch your head and wonder---- When
did this happen?----Where did I go wrong?
(1) Those things don’t happen over night. Not an instant problem and there are no
Instant cures. They are the accumulation of month’s and year’s of spiritual neglect,
and immaturity. What happens when you get caught up in earthly concerns and
Neglect spiritual things.
(a) Bible example from David’s life. 1 Kings 1:5-6. He was David’s son by one of
his many wives. He was very handsome, spoiled, undisciplined. He got
everything he wanted and that kind of person is dangerous.
His father David is the reason Adonijah is the way he is. This boy’s lifestyle is the consequence of his father’s sin. What was David’s sin? David never disciplined the boy. It is a sin not to discipline your children. It is a sin not to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(2) Adonijah was totally undisciplined. Never been taught respect and responsibility. When he reached the age of accountability, He refused to be accountable. That’s when David should have gotten by hair and said, “Sit down, you’re bent toward rebellion And I’m going to straighten you out.”
(a) Like many dads, He’s to busy, preoccupied, neglegent. The child becomes a
Hellion. Became a jerk. Only one way to deal with a jerk. You jerk the slip-knot
out of his puckering string.
For lack of discipline the child is lost. Child is trained wrong by the lack of training. Ben Franklin, “A little neglect may breed mischief. For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For lack of a shoe the horse was lost. For lack of a horse the rider was lost.’ Speaking of Nails, sometimes the only way to straighten a crooked nail is to take a hammer to it.
(B) What about the wrong choices we make because of unrecognized hypocrisy in our lives?
Perfect example of unrecognized hypocrisy is found in GAL 2:11-14. Peter’s hypocrisy.
(1) With Jews are around he eats Kosher. With Gentiles he eats ham, snails, etc. Sin
of hypocrisy. Discriminate against gentiles when Jews were around. Made the
wrong choice because of peer pressure. 2 PET 3:15-18, “Our beloved brother Paul,
according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,
which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also
the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand,
beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of
the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.” That means to grow into spiritual maturity to get rid of your hypocrisy.
(a) We will never grow in spiritual maturity unless we become consistent and get rid of
our hypocrisy. You cannot hide your lack of faith and hypocrisy from God.
(b) HEB 4:12-14.

How do you stop making the wrong choices? Start by being honest. Stop trying to pull the wool over God’s eyes. It just won’t work.
(a) Be honest with God, yourself and with others. Just be open and honest. Learn to wait on God. Don’t run ahead. Don’t try to do it on your own.
Understand that you can’t do it all. You’re not perfect, you’re forgiven. You don’t have to impress God or the people across the street, or where you work. And the only way you can impress God is to give Him your whole self. All there is of you.
(3) Trust Him to always be there, Guide you, nurture, strengthen you. If you will let go and let God. He will grow you into spiritual maturity.
(1) Pro. 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.” Do that and with every step you take, God will be at your side, providing your every need. He will grow you into great spiritual maturity.
(2) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 11/24/02 am