Growing In Maturity

2 Corinthians 4:18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

Even though Paul went through tremendous trials and tribulations, he did not become discouraged because he looked not to what was seen, but to what was unseen. We need to follow his example. Instead of looking at what we see around us, we need to look at what the Holy Spirit is doing.

He will lead us to focus on God's answers instead of our problems. Two people can read the Word and the person with carnal, fleshly ears will hear it differently than a person with spiritual ears. For example, 3 John 2 says, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

Less mature, carnal Christians (still lured by physical pleasures and appetites) may get excited about the promise of prosperity and healing, because that is all they hear in this verse. They think, Wow! Praise God! He wants us to prosper and be in health!

But mature believers that are sensitive to God's holy intent for their lives will also hear the part of the verse that says, "even as…your soul keeps well and prospers." They hear with understanding that God is going to give them prosperity and healing in correlation with how their souls are prospering. Pray that you will have ears to truly hear what God is saying and that you will grow progressively into maturity as you continue to walk with God.

Credit: AMP - Joyce Meyers - HS