Three Key Habits Of A Mature Christian Woman
Have you been feeling so spiritually stuck that you feel stagnant? Is the desire to move forward in your walk with Christ bubbling up inside but you are at a loss as to what to do differently?
In this post, I share with you three key habits of a mature Christian woman. If put into practice, these habits will propel your spiritual growth. They aren't complex or mind-blowing. But to the sweet sister who takes a step of faith to implement them, these habits quickly become non-negotiable and life-changing!
That sounds pretty dramatic, doesn't it? You know what? It is and it should.
Let me explain.
Spiritual Growth Is A Process
When we first become saved the Holy Spirit immediately begins to prompt us to set aside our old ways of thinking and acting. When we resist this transformation, we can feel not just stuck but abandoned. Turning away from satisfying worldly lusts and selfishness to a life that is transformed with a kingdom mindset takes time, effort, and grace.
"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
(Romans 12:2)
Spiritual growth is a slow process but it is also dramatic in that you really do become a new person! Your way of thinking and behaving is very different than before you gave your life to Christ.
"Therefore, if any person is in Christ (that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior), he is a new creature (reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit); the old things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passed away. Behold, new things have come (because spiritual awakening brings a new life)."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
MY STRUGGLE TO GROW
It took me a long time (years!) to understand this godly transformational process. I thought self-control and godly behavior (like going to church and being nice) were key ingredients in the "magic formula" that would allow me to grow closer to God.
But no matter how hard I tried, I always screwed up. Have you ever tried to run up a sandy hill? I'm not talking about the wet, hard-packed stuff but the dry sand that takes about 60% more energy than running on flat grass. You expel a tremendous amount of energy and don't get very far!
Yep. That is how I felt spiritually for way too long.
For Additional Reading: Lies we believe that are stopping our blessings
I had head knowledge. I had heard many sermons about all of us falling short and that none of us measure up. But I thought that meant people who weren't truly trying; not people like me.
One day after a particularly bad time in my life, God showed me that self-disciple was indeed one of my issues. I lacked it in areas that mattered (eternal perspective):
I was my own worst enemy because of this lack of discipline.
I had the mindset that I had done my part by becoming a Christian.
I was growing impatient waiting on God to "fix" me.
I was feeling stuck when this transformation didn't happen the way I thought it should.
I didn't expect it to take any effort on my part.
Have you had these kinds of crazy ideas?
We can all use our self-disciple to eat a salad instead of a cookie for lunch. But what about the self-discipline needed to watch our words? What about the self-control needed to be angry and sin not?
God showed me I was lacking consistency (the Bible calls it being double-minded) which allowed me to gain tons of head knowledge but immature heart knowledge (faith and lack of spiritual fruit). He showed me (through his Word) that I would never find a "magic formula" to grow into the mighty woman of God I longed to be.
Surprisingly, that revelation took so much pressure off of me! It birthed a desire in me to stop trying to force godly changes. Instead, I began to cultivate a godly mindset by doing three key things.
THREE KEY HABITS OF A MATURE CHRISTIAN WOMAN
One: She Stays in Scripture
First and foremost, a mature Christian woman has her Bible open reading and studying Scripture. She knows that it is through the Bible that God speaks to his children. It takes a lot of faith to trust that everything you need to know about fulfilling your purpose is revealed right there in Scripture!
To a mature Christian, the Bible is a priceless lifeline, not just a pretty book.
"All Scripture is God-breathed (given by divine inspiration) and is profitable for instruction, for conviction (of sin), for correction (of error and restoration to obedience), for training in righteousness (leaning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately -- behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage) so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Two: She Stays In Prayer
A mature Christian woman anticipates the power and effects of prayer in the spiritual and physical world. She doesn't just ask things of God but spends time thanking him.
She makes it a point to bring God into her day as well as communicate (talk and listen) with Him.
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
"The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him." (Proverbs 15:8)
Three: She Is A Doer Of The Word
Another key habit of a mature Christian woman is acting on what God shows her. She does what she can, where she can, with the resources God provides.
A spiritually mature Christian woman will put into practice what God has shown her needs to be adjusted, changed, or removed from her life. She lets her head knowledge grow into heart knowledge; not because she has to but because she wants to. Paul says:
"Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness. In humility, receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was."
(James 1:21-24 NASB)
Bonus Habit Number Four: She is Consistent
Consistency isn't a habit we normally think of, yet it is extremely vital! A mature Christian consistently incorporates time with God and acting on His Word into her life.
If we only occasionally read or study our Bibles, occasionally talk to him, and rarely put into practice doing as the Bible says, we will not grow!
However, it's important to note that consistency doesn't always mean doing these things daily but doing them regularly, making them a priority. What is consistent and right with one sister might appear inconsistent to someone else.
A mature Christian woman doesn't consistently incorporate these habits into her life religiously or legalistically but as an act of love and a desire to draw closer to Jesus (as always, our heart attitude, our motivation, is key).
I began implementing these habits listed out of faith that God would use them to make a difference in me and through me. See, I was a busy, young mom. The majority of my reading and praying were reserved for during church where it "belonged". I didn't want to adjust my life to make the above habits happen.
But, out of faith, I did.
Another important consideration is that I didn't wait until I reached maturity to begin implementing these practices. Without regularly making time for these key habits, I would not have become a mature Christian woman.
I haven't "made it" but I am so much farther than I ever dreamed I could be.
God's Truth's About Spiritual Growth
Because this journey of transformation is God's will, He provides help and direction for us.
Spiritual growth takes time and effort. It doesn't just happen.
The Holy Spirit helps us but He will never force us to grow and mature.
Every Day Is A Fresh Start To Practice Your New Habits
I don't think any of us are spiritually where we think we should be and most of us would agree that it has taken us way too long to get where we are!
But there is always hope! The daily decisions we make determine whether we grow closer to God or stay stagnant. But, every day is a new day and a new chance to "do-over" what we did wrong the day before.
If you desire to grow spiritually into a mature woman of God, choose to actively participate with the Holy Spirit. Make these habits a regular part of your life. Slowly, surely, growth WILL happen because God doesn't withhold himself from those who seek him.
YOUR TURN
What About You? Is there an area of your life that you have been holding back from? What changes have you made in your life that have allowed you to grow closer to God?
