“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” — Hebrews 5:13-14
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One of the greatest pleasures I’ve had as an NBA players’ chaplain over the last two decades is watching young men come into the league as rookies and grow into great players. The transformation process is difficult and time consuming, but it starts with adopting a mature mindset. So many great athletes never become great players because they don’t learn to grow up from the inside out. The same is true in growing spiritually mature. To grow spiritually into a fruitful Christian, you must adopt a mature mindset.
First, stop acting like a spiritual child. First Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” Children are naturally selfish, self-centered and shallow. They are driven by their own perceived needs, desires and pride.
Second, start thinking like a spiritual adult (1 Corinthians 14:20). Unlike children, the mark of an adult is self-control. They are better able to put aside emotions along with selfish desires and pride.
Lastly, maturing believers grow deeper in their understanding of the Word of God and live more and more according to what it says. The writer of Hebrews 5:11 admonished his readers, saying, “It is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.” The spiritually mature person thinks carefully about their choices and actions, and how they match up with God’s Word.
Dedicated athletes have what it takes to become fruitful and productive followers of Christ. You’ve already proven it in the physical world, now take this mindset to the Lord and watch Him transform your life!
— Jerry Birch, Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain
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