Peter’s exhortation to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) implies that spiritual maturity is something for which we all must strive. The Apostle Paul committed himself to the church at Philippi “for their progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:25) Indeed, John Bunyan’s famous work tracked the “pilgrim’s progress.”

How do you know if you’re growing spiritually? Is there a way to measure it? Should we even be concerned about maturing in faith and just live the best we can as Christians? For some, the attempt to assess one’s spiritual growth may smack of legalism. I suppose it could become legalistic should we begin to compare ourselves with others and become like the Pharisee who thanked God he was not like other men. (Luke 18:12)

However, it behooves us as Christians to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Hebrews 5:12 indicates a timeline for maturity, and if there has been no discernible change or spiritual growth in your life over an extended period of time, you have cause to “examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) Surely where there is life there will be signs of it. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So, what does spiritual maturity look like? How can I tell if I am making progress? Here are a few questions that may help you discern your own spiritual progress.

1. Is there a discernible increase in my awareness of God’s holiness?

God’s holiness is that which sets him apart from everything else. It is his “otherness.” As we grow in our knowledge of God and his holiness, our worship will be energized. We will become more and more overwhelmed by his greatness and majesty. He will be more and more in our thoughts and his praise more often on our lips.

2. Is there an increasing awareness of my own sinfulness?

This is a result that follows the first question. Only by seeing God as he is can we see ourselves as we really are. The apostle Paul is a great example of this. Surely he is one of the greatest Christians who ever lived but consider himself “chief of sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15) In Romans 7 he cries out, “O wretched man that I am!” The Bible says “God is light,” and the closer we get to him the more we will be exposed to our own sins and weaknesses.

Only by seeing God as he is can we see ourselves as we really are

3. Is there a growing awareness of my eternal inheritance?

Our Lord Jesus taught us to “lay up treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20) In Ephesians, Paul prayed that we “may know what is the hope to which we are called and what are the riches of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:18) We should examine ourselves whether we are living more for this world than the next. Am I setting my affections on things above or on the things of this world? (Colossians 3:2)

4. Am I increasing in true humility?

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, rather it’s just thinking of yourself less. According to Andrew Murray, whose book Humility I highly recommend, humility is “the place of entire dependence on God…the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.” A truly humble heart will seek the good of others and does “nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but counts others more significant.” (Philippians 2:3)

5. Do I experience joy during difficult circumstances?

The Bible says we should “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3) James echoes the exhortation saying, “count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2) A spiritually mature person understands that God will test our faith to help us grow further in Christlikeness and to advance his sovereign purpose. He works all things together for our good and his glory. (Romans 8:28) From a prison cell Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!”

Finally, please understand these questions are self-diagnostic and not to be used to judge the spiritual lives of others. To do so reflects a lack of maturity. So, let the pilgrim’s progress be your own and let Jesus Christ be praised in every victory.