Now that you're baptized in the Holy Spirit, you have the Spirit of God living in you. He is the One who helps you grow. But you have a part to play.
What Spiritual Growth Means
Growing spiritually means becoming more intimate with God, getting closer to Him. It means knowing Him as Father, Friend, Judge, Helper, Protector, and all that He is. It means being able to discern His will and His thoughts, even before He speaks to you. And when He does speak, being able to recognize His voice and distinguish it from every other voice, including your own thoughts (John 10:27).
It means becoming a strong, stable Christian with an unshakable foundation—and that foundation is the Word of God and His Spirit (Matthew 7:24–25; Ephesians 3:16–17).
This kind of growth begins with consistent fellowship with the Holy Spirit through disciplined study of the Word and prayer. Here is what that looks like practically.
1. Maintain a Disciplined Prayer Life
This is non-negotiable. At the very least, pray morning and night. That's your baseline. As you walk with God, you'll find yourself talking to Him throughout the day as you go about your life and the assignments He brings your way. How long you pray will depend on many factors as the Lord empowers you. But make sure you pray.
"Pray without ceasing" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2. Study the Bible Daily
This is also non-negotiable. Set a time to read the Bible every day, at least once. That's your baseline. If a topic, doctrine, or verse confuses you, pray to God about it. Keep thinking on it, meditating on it, analyzing it, and soon God will bring clarity. It will feel like your understanding was opened, like a light flashed through your mind. That is God teaching you and unpacking His Word to you (Psalm 119:130; John 16:13). Amen.
3. Live a Holy Life
Abstain from sin. This is non-negotiable. The Bible is clear: those who practice unrighteousness will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10). You will never be of any use to God if you don't live holy. And if you continue in an unholy life, you will be condemned like all other unbelieving sinners.
If you fall into sin, get up quickly. Confess it, hold yourself accountable, repent, ask God for forgiveness, and take steps to do better next time (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 24:16). Don't stay down.
4. Make Fasting Part of Your Spiritual Life
As the Lord empowers you, carve out time to fast. Fasting makes prayer more powerful, a prayer offered with fasting is often more impactful (Matthew 17:21). Fasting also disciplines and weakens the flesh so that spiritual things come more alive to you (1 Corinthians 9:27).
5. Tell Someone About the Lord Jesus
Has the Lord Jesus changed your life? Tell someone about it. Sharing the gospel strengthens your spiritual muscle. It's one way to experience the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit that are activated during evangelism (Philemon 1:6). Don't keep what God has done for you to yourself.