Characteristics of A Mature Christian
When it comes to our faith journey, we want to continually grow in our maturity. But this can only be done through the development of certain characteristics. The week, we look to James 3 to find the characteristics a mature Christian.
1. Mature Christians have holy minds (v. 1-13)
James heeds a warning to those who want to become teachers within the church as they will be judged more strictly by God. The reason behind this warning is that the primary audience for James' words were people who wanted to become teachers amongst believers. They believed that they would gain great status, respect and influence among the people like the Jewish leaders. The motivation behind wanting to be a teacher was out of selfish gain.
We need to understand that there is a greater accountability and responsibility on those who want to become teachers within the church. This is the reason why we will be judged more strictly. A teacher's job is to speak and to be an example which is difficult when we all stumble.
However, from this passage we can see that a true mature Christian is someone who is able to control their tongue. The human tongue is small but it is dangerous. Many sins can be expressed through our tongues. It is hypocritical as it can praise God but it can also curse those around us who are made in the image of God. The ability to control our tongue is a measurement of our spiritual maturity. And it starts with a mature mind. For only a mature mind will lead to mature speech.
What does it mean to have a mature mind? It’s to be obedient to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and renews our minds daily and that is our choice to choose every day. To be able to have a mature tongue and mind means that we need to live by Godly wisdom, which is the next characteristic of a mature Christian.
2. Mature Christians live by Godly wisdom (v. 14-18)
To live by Godly wisdom is choosing to submit ourselves to his wisdom. To be obedient to God. We need to understand that God's wisdom is pure and has no association with the worldly way of life. It's open to reason and has a willingness to listen. It's full of good fruit that will last. It's vastly different to worldly wisdom which is self-seeking and filled with jealousy. This type of wisdom is far away from God and goes against God in every way.
No one can fake having godly wisdom for God's wisdom is shown by deeds and actions. It’s something that needs to be lived out. We are choosing to look through God's perspective on the world instead of our own and we are choosing to exude humility as we are not seeking to do good for attention.
Again, the only way we can do this—live according to godly wisdom—is because of the Holy Spirit. And we’re not without inspiration. Jesus has given us an example of how to live under God's wisdom.
Father God,
Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit so that we can live in the way that you have called us to live. I pray that we can continue to live by your wisdom and not by our own. I pray that our good conduct is only because of an outflow of your wisdom within us. I pray that we can submit ourselves and be obedient to the Spirit every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen