From time to time, I recall an incident in my life—something I did, something I said—and upon replaying it in my mind, I do a cringeworthy facepalm at the thought of my incredible immaturity at the time. How could I have done that? How could I have said that? What on earth was I thinking? Why did I not have more self-control to keep myself from offending others, embarrassing myself, and dishonoring God?
It's a comfort to know, in that moment, that I am forgiven and have grown beyond such immaturity (although I'm still not perfect).
The book of Hebrews addresses maturity. It speaks to present immaturity and urges us to future growth. We are not to be infants, stuck in a perpetual state of immaturity, demonstrated by repeating to ourselves the ABCs of the faith over and over again (Hebrews 5:12-13). We should understand that maturity involves learning deeper truths of God's Word and explicitly living them out in a world of good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). And we should take up the call to get out of neutral and put it in gear as we move on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1-3).
But these passages are low on specifics. We are encouraged repeatedly throughout the New Testament to grow and become mature. We instinctively know that we are to become more like Christ and change into His image. But what does this specifically look like in our lives? Our maturity is an enormous subject to which much of the Bible is devoted. It is impossible to catalog it all, so let's distill it into three things: 1) What we think, 2) What we say, and 3) What we do.
What We Think
We are in a battle for the mind, and the Scriptures are clear. We are to renew our minds, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2).
We are also instructed to take "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:5). And Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us of the upward focus of our thoughts, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
Everything begins in our hearts and minds (the two often synonymous in Scripture). Anger begins there. Pride resides there. Bitterness takes root there. Lust breeds there. Sin is born there. The remedy is to take in a steady diet of God's Word, meditate, memorize it, and digest it so that it becomes part of who you are in the deepest recesses of your soul.
With our minds we are to learn God’s Word. This means we are to be mature in doctrine. “Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).
Remember always, that everything is spiritual. This is not just mental gymnastics; our mind is the domain of the Holy Spirit, and His fruit is the byproduct of a renewed mind: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, "gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
What We Say
One sure indicator of maturity is our ability to control our tongue. The Proverbs are replete with warnings and encouragement in the wise use of our tongue. Immaturity involves angry words, criticism, judgmentalism, gossip, slander, and betraying a confidence.
Jesus had these hard words for the Pharisees (and for us), "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:34-37). Ouch, that's going to leave a mark on all of us!
He also said, "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man" (Matthew 15:11).
This is why renewing the mind is so important: what is in our hearts and minds will eventually come out.
Therefore, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:29-30).
What We Do
It's not enough to renew our minds and say nice things. It's possible that the Christians to whom the Book of Hebrews was written were stuck at this level—just being nice. They knew fundamental doctrine; they talked about it but did not live it. The Christian life is one of action if it is to be a life of maturity.
Maturity involves a transformed life (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation involves becoming like Christ and living a life of worship. Worship happens on Sunday morning, but worship is also our life for the rest of the week. Those who are mature know doctrine and live it (Hebrews 5:14). Those who are mature give. They have settled the issue of ownership of all that is put into their care and give generously, sacrificially, and joyfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Those who are mature serve. We are all given the stewardship of spiritual gifts, and we are responsible for serving one another (Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4).
Those who are mature forgive. With a mind renewed by God's truth, mature Christians consistently live the command: "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32). We have been shown grace in God's forgiveness to us. Indeed, one of the bedrock truths of maturity will be a life of grace and forgiveness.
Finally, those who are mature are disciple-making disciples who share their faith and invest in the growth of others. The Great Commission to go and make disciples is for all of us to obey (Matthew 28:18-20).
Maturity is much more, but nothing less than all of these.
One Final Word
Hebrews 5:1-6:3 have been very convicting to many. I've had to preach these verses to myself as well. But let's all make sure we own it for ourselves and not seek to apply it to others. Howard Hendricks used to talk about "Church Basketball." By that, he did not mean a church basketball league. What he meant is that Christians often hear something that is convicting in a sermon, and their first thought is, boy I sure hope so, and so is listening. When, in fact, we need to take personal ownership rather than pass the ball off to someone else. So, keep the ball, dribble, and take a shot at maturity.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18