MARKS OF MATURITY
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. With respect to advancement and development, there are two
classes of Christians--the mature and immature.
1. One is either mature or immature, or somewhere in between.
B. Some are immature by reason of time (they are novices or new
converts); others are immature by reason of failure (through
neglect or indifference they have failed to grow).
C. The word "perfect" as found in the N.T. means, "having reached
its end, finished, complete. It is used (I) of persons, (a)
primarily of physical development, then, with ethical import,
fully grown, mature..; (II) of things, complete,
perfect...referring to the complete revelation of God's will
and ways..." (Vine)
1. Here are a few examples of how the word is used: Col. 1:28;
4:12; 1 Cor. 13:9-10; James 1:25.
D. All of us would like to be thought of as mature Christians.
There could be no better compliment than for someone to say,
"He is a mature Christian."
1. God's view of us is what really counts.
2. Let us study the marks of a mature Christian so that we
might be such ourselves.
I. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.
Heb. 5:11-6:1
A. He exercises his senses upon the word of God.
1. It is the Scripture that make the man of God perfect. 2 Tim.
3:16-17
B. Through diligent study, when issues arise, he can make
decisions.
1. Some show their immaturity when they are not able to
decide.
2. We often hear people say, "I don't see any difference
between the two churches," when there are definite
important issues involved.
3. Indeed, one's eternal destiny can be involved and the weak
and immature will not be able to see it.
II. A MATURE CHRISTIAN STRIVES TO PLEASE HIS MASTER. Luke 6:40
A. Jesus always did those things which pleased the Father. John
8:29
1. We should not seek to please ourselves, but the Lord. 2 Tim.
2:4
2. We should not seek to please other men, but the Lord. Gal.
1:10
a. We should always seek to be an asset to the cause of the
Lord wherever we might be.
(1) Illustration: Should a young couple become a part of
a large thriving church, or go to a small struggling
church where they are truly needed?
III. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS NOT EASILY CARRIED AWAY BY FALSE DOCTRINE.
Eph. 4:11-15
A. He knows and loves the truth and is not easily deceived or
beguiled.
1. He doesn't take a non-committal attitude toward error; in
fact, he upholds and encourages the preaching that exposes
it. Psalm 119:104; Rom. 12:9
B. False teachers prey on the immature and avoid the mature.
1. Illustration: At times, some establish their views by going
to the weaker members.
IV. A MATURE CHRISTIAN IS NOT EASILY MOVED BY PERSECUTION. James
1:4-5
A. He knows persecutions and hardships will come. Acts 14:22
1. He knows that persecutions will approve or disapprove him
before God. 1 Pet 1:6-7; 4:12-13
2. He knows that hardships and difficulties will work patience
and make him stronger in the end.
B. A mature Christian will receive criticism and reproof without
being moved.
1. He does not resent correction, nor become angry with the
one who administers it. He does not try to get even with the
one who criticizes him.
2. Prov. 9:8-9; 12:1; Psalm 141:5.
3. Illustration: Some want the honor and praise due the mature,
but cannot receive the criticism that goes with them. We
need mature Christians who pursue the right course in spite
of all objections. "You can't have the roses without the
thorns."
V. A MATURE CHRISTIAN KEEPS HIS HEART RIGHT WITH GOD. 1 Chron. 28:9;
1 Kings 8:61
A. In spite of this, Solomon failed in this matter. 1 Kings 11:4
B. We must keep our hearts with all diligence. Prov. 4:23
1. We must keep our hearts attuned to spiritual things. Col.
3:1-2
2. We should not set our affections on material things. The
mature Christian does not have the love of money, or the
love of things money can buy. He does not love the pleasures
of this world.
3. We must deny ourselves of certain things--of anything that
would hinder us from serving the Lord. Luke 9:23
VI. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN STRIVES TO PERFECT FAITH AND HOLINESS.
A. He grows in faith. 1 Thess. 3:10
1. Faith is made perfect by works. James 2:22
B. He perfects holiness. 2 Cor. 7:1
1. Drinking, dancing, gambling, indecent and immodest dress,
are not practiced by the mature.
2. Illustration: On determining her dress, one young lady said
she watched what the most mature, godly women wore, and
tried to dress similar to them.
VII. THE MATURE SINCERELY WORK TOWARD UNITY. 1 Cor. 1:10
A. In matters of faith and doctrine he is unwilling to compromise.
1. True unity is based upon God's great platform of unity. Eph.
4:3-7
2. Unity in error is worse than division to preserve the truth.
B. In matters of opinion or human judgment, he will not condone or
encourage any effort to alienate brethren and divide a
congregation.
1. Envy, strife, and division are evidences of immaturity. 1
Cor. 3:1-3
2. Love, mercy, and unity are evidences of maturity. Phil.
2:1-4
C. Where brethren stand divided, the mature Christian prays and
works toward unity.
VIII. HE BRIDLES HIS TONGUE. James 3:2
A. Controlling one's tongue is very difficult, but must be done.
James 1:26
1. The mature Christian understands how much damage the
tongue can do.
a. Illustration: We soon learn by experience not to say
things about others that we don't want them to hear.
Eccl. 10:20
2. Also, he does not act childishly over things that have been
said about him. Eccl. 7:21-22
a. A mature Christian is not easily offended; his feelings
are not easily hurt.
b. The immature are prone to feel neglected, overlooked,
mistreated.
(1) Some are always looking for something at which to
take offense and ever finding it.
c. The mature do not begin a verbal war against those
whom they feel have said something bad about them or
mistreated them.
IX. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN HAS LOVE. Col. 3:14
A. He has genuine love toward his brethren. Rom. 12:9-10
B. He has genuine love toward God. 1 John 2:5; 4:12,18
X. THE MATURE CHRISTIAN RELIES ON HIS HEAVENLY FATHER.
A. It is only by the help of God that we will succeed. Heb.
13:20-21; 1 Pet. 5:10
B. If we are saved at all in that great day, it will be because we
relied on the Father to carry us through.
Concl.
A. These are high marks. There is nothing light or trivial about
becoming a mature Christian.
B. It is a matter of constant application; we cannot let up, stand
still, or go backwards.
1. Other things cannot mean more to us.
C. Let us earnestly strive toward maturity.
Chart:
Marks of Maturity
Able to distinguish between good and evil
Heb. 5:11-6:1; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Seeks to please the Lord
Luke 6:40; John 8:29; 2 Tim. 2:4; Gal. 1:10
Not easily carried away by false doctrine
Eph. 4:11-15; Psalm 119:104; Rom. 12:9
Not easily moved by persecutions
James 1:4-5; Acts 14:22; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-13; Prov. 9:8-9; 12:1;
Ps. 141:5
Keeps his heart right with God
1 Chron. 28:9; 1 Kings 11:4; Prov. 4:23; Col. 3:1-2; Luke
9:23
Strives to perfect faith and holiness
1 Thess. 3:10; James 2:22; 2 Cor. 7:1
Sincerely works toward unity
1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:3-7; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Phil. 2:1-4
Bridles his tongue
James 3:2; 1:26; Eccl. 10:20; 7:21-22
Has genuine love
Col. 3:14; Rom. 12:9-10; 1 John 2:5; 4:12,18
Relies on the Heavenly Father
Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Pet. 5:10