What are the Spiritual Gifts? - Part 3: Growing in Maturity

Ephesians 4:11-16 is one really (really) long sentence. Here's verse 11:

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ

The basic idea is that the spiritual gifts are to increase and help the health of the body of Christ, that is, those who are in the church - believers in Jesus. God has designed that as his people use their specific gifts, church will grow into a healthy body.

As we grow from others and also use our gifts, we will mature, and this will result in doctrinal discernment.

Doctrine (or doctrinal) just means "teachings." What you are being taught, what you listen to, read, and repeat. All of us are always being taught doctrine. You will come across this everywhere - not Christian settings. Doctrine is taught in your living room, in your car, at your job, by your friends, and co workers.. and don't get me started on TikTok. We are always being bombarded by doctrine, by teaching from all kinds of sources. And what you believe will affect how you live.

It amazes me how illiterate the church is on matters of doctrine. Many Christians are not concerned with matters of doctrine, and even find it utterly boring. Unfortunately, many believers are carried about by different winds of doctrine that are usually propagated either in our culture or even in the church itself. I could go on and on with example after example, but I am sure you have seen it, too.

The entire Bible, but especially the New Testament, is filled with warnings about false teachers and reminders to believe the truth as revealed by God and hold to that truth at all costs. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:15:

“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.”

The Way, the Truth, and the Life Himself explains that there will be false prophets who seem gentle and good natured - but they are hiding their true hideous and evil motives. Some other warnings from the New Testament (Click to read the passage.):

Galatians 1:8-9 (Listen to Jen's recent podcast about that here.)
Colossians 2:8
2 Thessalonians 2:3-13

For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Acts 20:29-30

These waves and winds of false teaching are the powerful currents of worldly philosophy that Satan brings on the scene to undermine the truth of Biblical truth. These false ideas vary from generation to generation, but they always represent an assault on God’s Word of truth.

This brings us back to Ephesians 4. In verse 14 it explains:

that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

Why are we described as children? Children tend to act impulsively, based on their feelings of the moment, rather than thoughtfully and carefully. They often lack self-control, and they are easily deceived by evil people that want to take advantage of them.

Most young kids just don't have the maturity or critical thinking to realize that they are being tricked. So that is what false teachers do.

Just as Satan tricked Eve in the garden, they use the same tactics.

Because of a lack of doctrinal discernment, people are duped and tricked into believing all kinds of false doctrine - making their faith weak, and hindering their growth.

But we have a defense. Children don't stay young and naive forever. In the same way, we can grow. This means not only reading, but also studying your Bible. Don’t dodge the difficult doctrinal sections. They’re in there to help you mature in the faith.

We also use our spiritual gifts to mature. Here's some ways we may help others, or be helped ourselves.

1. Speak truth to each other

We can and should hold people accountable (or accept it ourselves!) when they are being carried about with false doctrine because we have truth.

Speaking truth means that you do love that person, because you are willing to tell them the truth about how they are acting, thinking, and believing and how it goes against what Scripture teaches and how we are to live.

2. Speak truth with love

Biblical love is always seeking the highest good of the person. We should be patient, kind, and sensitive in how we talk with our fellow brothers and sisters. Love does not take selfish advantage of others, but rather sacrifices self for the good of others. Love is to be the very atmosphere that permeates the church as we grow in Christ.

So as you use your spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ, you are helping the body of Christ grow in maturity and that maturity looks like Christ in every area of our life - how we think, what we believe, and the things we do. This is why it’s so important that everyone is taking part in helping the body of Christ grow. You need all of us, and we need you to help us grow into Christlikeness.

Questions: