This checklist is based on John 2:12-14 (see above), where the apostle John delineates the following three levels of spiritual maturity: spiritual children; spiritual young men and women; and spiritual mothers and fathers.
1. Have I Surrendered My Life to Christ as My Lord and Savior (John 3:16; 1 John 2:13)?
Spiritual infancy commences with the understanding that we are sinners, Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and we can have a relationship with Him by asking for forgiveness.
2. Am I Secure in the Fact that My Sins Are Forgiven? Or Do I Still Struggle with Believing that God Could Forgive Me After All the Sins I Have Committed? (1 John 2:12)?
Trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and the assurance of our salvation in Him comes down to a decision. We choose to believe God’s Word and have faith in His promises. Making and standing strong on that choice is a mark of spiritual maturity.
3. Have I Overcome the World (1 John 5:4)?
The word "overcome" basically means "no longer fooled, no longer deceived.” Spiritual children understand that the world's way is not the way that God has called us to live.
A person may be a Christian for 20 or 30 years, but he/she is still a baby if they value and seek the things of the world.
4. Am I Having a Difficult Time Applying the Bible to Everyday Life (Hebrews 5:13)?
For example, spiritual children have trouble sorting out issues like the biblical grounds for divorce, or for giving, or for knowing God’s will. As we mature, seeking out biblical truth and relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom becomes second nature.
5. Am I Certain that I Am Not Following False Teachers or False Doctrines (Ephesians 4:14)?
Mormons tell us that over two-thirds of all converts to Mormonism are people with an evangelical Christian background.
The gospel of salvation taught by Paul is, “Faith plus nothing equals salvation.” Salvation is a free gift based on grace. On the other hand, the false gospel of Mormonism includes a number of steps in place of the “nothing” which must be accomplished to reach what is termed the "Third Heaven."
Spiritually mature Christians are not fooled by false teaching because they know the Bible well.
6. Do I Struggle with Spiritual Fears and Insecurities (Matthew 10:26-28)?
"I'm afraid that if I tithe, I won't have enough money left to meet my needs.”
“I sometimes wonder whether or not I am truly saved.”
“I am afraid that if I sin too much God won’t love me anymore and I will somehow lose my salvation.”
Confidence in God’s promises—trusting Him to supply our needs—is a mark of spiritual maturity. It’s most often gained as we trust God through hardship and experience His presence.
7. Do I See Signs of Steady Spiritual Growth or Am I Backsliding into Stagnant Carnality? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
How long can I remain a baby Christian before I am stuck in “carnality” or unspiritual? Paul taught the Christians at Ephesus the “whole counsel of God” in three years. I believe that if we haven't made great strides in our Christian walk in three years, we are in grave danger of becoming carnal or unspiritual.
8. Am I Praying to Be a Spiritual Mother or Father at Any Price?
This is the most difficult prayer you’ll ever pray … and the one God will always answer.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Pureradiancephoto