Four Overlooked Signs of Spiritual Maturity
Every person who values having a strong connection with God should also find it valuable to be able to identify others who also have a robust relationship with the Almighty. One cannot truly ascertain the level of another’s spirituality by merely judging how much someone professes to be spiritually strong. Rather, it is far more sensible to pay attention to people’s behavior and character. The following are four important signs of spiritual maturity, which people often miss. These are written from an unapologetically Christian perspective, but everyone can benefit from them.
Spiritually mature people wield quiet power
He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understand is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. — Proverbs 17:27-28 (NKJV)
People who are spiritually mature understand that being quiet does not necessarily denote powerlessness or weakness. They understand that the loudest person in the room is not necessarily the smartest person in the room. The person who has an insatiable need for the microphone is not the indisputably wisest person in the room. When spiritually immature people are not constantly being noticed by others, their self-esteem is affected. As the above verses from Proverbs 17 indicate, people who are spiritually mature understand the importance of being measured with their words and do not see silence as weakness. Such people are experts at wielding quiet power, and they understand that being the center of attention at all times is not a prerequisite to being a person who matters. Often times, it is much better to sit quietly and observe, as opposed to talking without carefully surveying a situation.
Politicians who refuse to retire while in the twilight of their lives (see my previous essay Ancient Politicians and Power Intoxication) can definitely be characterized as people who are spiritually immature. Such people would rather die in office than relinquish a title in their old age, because even a moment without the warmth of the spotlight is, to them, an accursed existence. People for whom titles and constant admiration are everything cannot possibly be mature spiritually.
Spiritually mature people are comfortable with solitude and isolation
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. — Luke 5:15-16 (NKJV)
Much like the ability to be strategically quiet in public and not seeking to be the center of attention, spiritually mature people are also comfortable with solitude and isolation. The point here is not to say that only introverts have the capacity to be spiritually mature. One can derive energy from being around others, but still not be allergic to isolation and solitude. Whether people like it or not, the development of strong spirituality is simply not something that occurs while constantly being in the presence of other people. As a result, those who cannot feel at peace without incessantly having people around will never be able to attain the level of spiritual growth and maturity that those who are comfortable with solitude and isolation can. Spiritual growth and recharging happen in the quiet place of communication with the Almighty, not while basking in the adoration of crowds.
Spiritually mature people do not have enemies, nor do they hate people for any reason
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. – Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV)
Spiritually mature people have an acute understanding of how corrosive hatred is to the human spirit. For this reason, they do not maintain hate in their hearts towards anybody—even those who deeply wrong them. The hate their enemies have towards them is one-sided. While spiritually mature people understand the important command to love their enemies, they are mindful not to reconcile with demons. There is nothing about Christian forgiveness that mandates fraternizing with snakes that will bite at the first chance.
Because spiritually mature people do not have enemies, their battles are fought by the Creator. Spiritually mature people understand the importance of making sure that they do not do things to offend people or cause enmity. They ensure that people who hate them do so because of the wickedness in their hearts, and they have no credible case for their hatred. This way, the enemies of such people are always truly the enemies of God. It is especially dangerous to pick a spiritually mature person as an enemy. Spiritual immaturity goes hand in hand with hatred, jealousy, envy, insecurity, and bitterness.
Spiritually mature people have a strong relationship with the truth
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. — John 16:13 (NKJV)
This is perhaps the most important point of all. Far too many people think that religious titles are great indicators of spiritual maturity. In actuality, many people with religious titles tend to be the spiritually immature who politicked their way through the right religious circles and have absolutely no value for the aforementioned concept of wielding quiet power. Do not be fooled by Bishop, Reverend, Deacon/Deaconess, and similar titles. A much more effective way of determining one’s level of spiritual maturity is by looking at one’s relationship with the truth.
It is impossible to be a spiritually mature person who has a relationship with the Spirit of Truth and is also easily deceived by lies and liars. When deceptive people come to spiritually mature people with cock-and-bull stories, such people have the discernment to know that they are being misled. If a person is constantly falling hook, line, and sinker for lies and deceit, it is clear proof that they are spiritually immature.
Relatedly, it is not possible to be a spiritually mature person who blithely sides with lies and liars for the purpose of expediency. People who are spiritually mature are capable of owning uncomfortable truths about themselves and others, instead of embracing digestible falsehoods that make them feel good.