There’s a serious problem in the church that we don’t talk about enough. It isn’t declining attendance or moral failure—though those are real. It’s the quiet, unnoticed tragedy of believers who stay spiritual infants for years, even decades. They know just enough to be saved, but not enough to grow. They attend services, nod at sermons, and maybe even serve, but they never press forward in their walk with Christ to spiritual maturity. They’ve made peace with immaturity.
That’s not what Jesus died for.
Spiritual maturity is not a luxury for the few—it is the expected outcome for every believer in Christ. The Apostle Paul didn’t settle. He refused to coast. He said, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul wasn’t content with going through the motions and remaining spiritually immature. And neither should we be.
If you’ve ever felt stuck spiritually, if you’re hungry for more than Sunday morning Christianity, this post is for you. We’re going to look at what it means to move from being a spiritual infant to growing in spiritual maturity, and how you can take that next step—starting today.
Spiritual Maturity is not about age or how long you’ve been in church. It’s about becoming more like Christ in your thoughts, actions, desires, and character. It’s not measured by church attendance, Bible trivia knowledge, or emotional highs. Instead, it’s about deep transformation through the gospel.
It’s a lifelong process. A mature believer increasingly reflects the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), is anchored in sound doctrine (Titus 2:1), pursues holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), and lives with a growing desire to glorify God in every area of life (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Spiritual maturity isn’t instant. It’s cultivated over time through discipline, dependence, and devotion.
Jesus put it this way: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher”(Luke 6:40). That’s the goal: to be more like Jesus.
A spiritual infant is someone who has genuinely trusted in Christ but remains immature in their faith, understanding, and practice. Just like a newborn baby, a spiritual infant is completely dependent on others for nourishment, direction, and care. They are alive in Christ—but not yet developed.
In the early stages of faith, spiritual infancy is a natural part of the journey. Every believer starts here. The problem arises when someone stays there.
The writer of Hebrews addressed this issue directly:
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles… You need milk, not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12)
The problem wasn’t that they were new believers—it’s that they should have grown by now but hadn’t.
These are believers who resist growth. They shy away from deeper truths, favoring comfort over conviction. While they know John 3:16, they aren’t ready for Romans 9 or Ephesians 1. It’s okay to start here, but not to stay here. God doesn’t shame spiritual infants—but He does call them to grow. Just as we expect physical babies to develop, God expects His children to mature spiritually. Spiritual infancy is a starting point, not a stopping point.
If you recognize yourself in this description, don’t be discouraged—be motivated. Growth is possible.
If spiritual growth is both expected and rewarding, why do so many believers remain stuck in immature faith? The truth is, spiritual infancy isn’t always the result of outright rebellion. More often, it’s the product of subtle habits, unchallenged assumptions, and a lack of intentional discipleship. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why Christians fail to grow.
Growth means change, and change is uncomfortable. It’s easier to stay where we are.
For many believers, the rhythms and routines of spiritual infancy feel safe. They know the basics. They’ve memorized John 3:16. They attend church semi-regularly. They feel no urgency to dig deeper because they’re comfortable with what they already know.
But comfort can become a cage. When we fear the discomfort of conviction, correction, or stretching our faith, we settle into spiritual routines that never require growth. Like Israel longing for Egypt, we resist the wilderness journey toward spiritual maturity because the old ways feel familiar—even if they’re limiting.
The path of maturity is often paved with discomfort. It requires stepping into new disciplines, receiving rebuke with humility, and allowing the Spirit to expose what needs to change. That’s never easy—but it is necessary.
Many churches focus on decisions, not discipleship. Converts are made, but not matured.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 doesn’t say, “Go and make decisions.” It says, “Go and make disciples.” Yet, too often, our focus stops at salvation. We celebrate the new birth (and rightly so!) but fall short of helping them grow up in Christ.
This kind of shallow discipleship produces spiritual infants who may know that Jesus saves but don’t know what Jesus commands. They’ve never been shown how to read the Bible, how to pray deeply, how to share their faith, or how to kill sin daily.
Without intentional discipleship—life-on-life investment, biblical teaching, and real accountability—most believers will plateau.
Our culture prizes convenience and instant gratification. Spiritual maturity requires the opposite: discipline, patience, and endurance.
Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen on demand. When we expect spiritual growth to happen as quickly as a social media scroll or an Amazon delivery, we set ourselves up for disappointment and disillusionment.
Worse, cultural Christianity often treats faith as a private, self-help journey—divorced from the authority of Scripture and the life of the Church. The gospel becomes a means of personal inspiration rather than transformation.
When Christians adopt these cultural values, they lose their appetite for deeper things. The call to take up one’s cross and follow Christ sounds outdated. But Jesus never lowered the cost of discipleship to fit our cultural norms. He calls us to grow—even when it’s slow and sacrificial.
One of the most significant reasons Christians remain spiritual infants is lack of depth from the pulpit and in small group settings.
Many churches prioritize being “relevant” over being rooted. Sermons become motivational speeches with a sprinkling of Scripture. Bible studies get replaced with book clubs. Hard truths are softened to avoid offense.
But when people are only fed spiritual milk week after week, they never develop a hunger—or the ability—to digest solid food (Heb. 5:12–14). Shallow teaching keeps people dependent, immature, and biblically illiterate.
True spiritual maturity requires more than inspirational soundbites. It requires doctrinal depth, biblical exposition, and a willingness to deal with the hard texts that confront and correct us.
Churches must be committed to teaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)—not just the popular parts. And believers must learn to love truth, even when it challenges them.
In short, we stay spiritual infants when we avoid the very things that help us grow. But the good news is this: none of these obstacles are immovable. With humility, accountability, and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can break through our comfort zones and cultural drift to pursue true, lasting growth in Christ.
The Bible does not treat spiritual stagnation as acceptable. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to grow up.
Spiritual maturity is a divine expectation, not a suggestion. To ignore this call is not merely lazy—it’s disobedient.
Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional, Spirit-led pursuit. If you want to grow beyond spiritual infancy, you must take deliberate steps to develop deep roots in Christ. These steps won’t always be easy, but they’re essential for leaving behind shallow faith and becoming spiritually mature.
Here are seven biblical and practical steps to help you grow from a spiritual infant into a mature follower of Jesus:
Your pastor can preach truth, your small group can provide community, but you are responsible for your spiritual growth. No one else can do it for you.
The apostle Paul urged believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). That doesn’t mean you earn salvation—but it does mean you actively participate in your sanctification.
Ask yourself:
What am I doing this week to deepen my walk with Christ?
Growth begins when you stop making excuses and start taking ownership.
Just as infants need regular nourishment to grow physically, your soul needs daily feeding through Scripture. Don’t rely only on Sunday sermons or occasional devotionals. Learn to study the Bible for yourself.
Here’s how to start:
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). If you’re not in the Word, you’re not growing.
Prayer isn’t just a spiritual lifeline—it’s a growth strategy. Through prayer, we commune with God, align our hearts with His will, and find grace to grow.
Start simple:
Prayer deepens intimacy with God and strengthens dependence. Don’t wait for a crisis to talk to your Father.
Spiritual maturity requires wrestling with truth—even the hard parts.
Don’t avoid doctrines like election, sanctification, or God’s sovereignty just because they’re deep or difficult. Paul told Timothy, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Tim. 2:7).
Mature believers chew on meat, not just sip on milk. Dig into the richness of God’s Word and trust the Holy Spirit to grow your understanding over time.
Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The front lines of ministry are often where our faith is forged.
James says trials produce steadfastness (James 1:2–4). Maturity isn’t just knowing more—it’s being shaped through obedience and perseverance. Faith becomes real when it’s tested.
You can’t grow in isolation. God designed the Church as a family—and you need older siblings in the faith. Get actively involved in a Biblically faithful church.
Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders… consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Find people who:
Ask questions. Share your struggles. Walk with others who can model maturity. Iron sharpens iron—but only if you’re close enough to feel the sparks.
Nothing stunts spiritual growth like unrepentant sin. Daily repentance is essential to maturing in Christ.
Paul said, “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). That means:
And when it gets hard? Don’t quit. Spiritual growth will stretch you—but the reward is eternal. As Paul said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).
Spiritual maturity is not about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s a steady, Spirit-empowered pursuit of Christ that changes your heart, renews your mind, and equips you to live for His glory.
Start where you are—but don’t stay there. Let today be the day you decide: no more spiritual infancy. It’s time to grow.
A spiritually healthy church doesn’t settle for keeping people in spiritual infancy. It builds a culture where believers grow in grace, truth, and obedience. If you’re a church leader—pastor, elder, ministry director, or small group leader—you have a vital role in shaping an environment where spiritual maturity is expected and pursued.
Here’s how your church can intentionally lead people out of spiritual infancy and into mature discipleship.
Churches that produce mature believers preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). That means no skipping over hard doctrines, controversial passages, or countercultural commands.
Don’t underestimate your people’s hunger for truth. Shallow teaching breeds shallow disciples. But when the Word is faithfully and deeply proclaimed, people grow.
Teach both the milk and the meat:
Trust your congregation to grow. Equip them to read and understand Scripture, not just consume weekly sermons. Spiritual infants remain when churches stop at the basics and remain shallow in their teaching.
You can’t expect people to grow if you don’t show them how. Too many churches leave spiritual formation to chance. Instead, develop a discipleship pathway—a clear process that helps believers move from new birth to spiritual maturity.
A healthy discipleship path should include:
Think of it like a spiritual growth map. People need to know the next step—whether they’re just saved or have followed Christ for decades. Clarity creates momentum.
The culture of your church often speaks louder than your curriculum. What you celebrate, highlight, and model shapes what your people value.
So—celebrate spiritual growth. Not just attendance numbers or building campaigns, but:
Leaders set the tone. If maturity is celebrated from the platform and in the lobby, it will become the norm in your congregation.
Don’t settle for casual Christianity. Set a tone of joyful seriousness. Make it clear that your church exists not just to gather a crowd, but to form disciples who look more like Jesus.
Churches rise and fall on leadership. If you want your people to grow, raise up leaders who are committed to truth, courageous in calling people to maturity, and equipped to model growth themselves.
This means:
People grow when they’re led by those who are also growing. Equip your leaders to disciple deeply, not just maintain programs. Your leaders don’t need to have all the answers—they need to point people to Christ and model maturity in the process.
Consumerism is a poison to spiritual growth. When churches cater to comfort, entertainment, and self-interest, they breed spiritual infants who never learn to carry a cross.
Jesus never invited people to attend something comfortable. He called them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Your church must do the same.
That means:
Yes, people need grace and care—but not at the expense of growth. Stop lowering the bar to keep people around. Raise it to help them become like Christ.
Spiritual maturity doesn’t come from hype or programs—it comes from faithfulness.
As a leader, your job isn’t to entertain or appease. Your calling is to shepherd people toward Christlikeness, even when that means confronting sin, challenging comfort, or pressing deeper into doctrine.
If your church begins to move beyond spiritual infancy, it will become a place of transformation—where spiritual infants grow into strong, fruitful disciples of Jesus.
And that is a church worth building.
The goal isn’t just to grow. It’s to reproduce.
Spiritually mature believers become disciple-makers. They teach others, shepherd the younger in faith, and build up the church (2 Timothy 2:2). Maturity leads to multiplication.
You weren’t saved just to survive. You were saved to thrive—and to lead others to do the same.
If you’re tired of living as a spiritual infant, you don’t have to stay stuck. Christ calls you forward. He has more for you—more depth, more joy, more purpose. But it requires effort. It requires intention. It requires surrender. And yes, it requires saying no to the comfort of spiritual infancy.
It means choosing:
Yes, spiritual infancy is where we all begin. But it’s not where we’re meant to stay.
Let today be your turning point. Not just another moment of conviction—but a moment of decision.
As Paul wrote, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Will you press on?
Start today:
Don’t settle for spiritual survival when Christ has called you to spiritual maturity.
It’s time to grow up.