Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a lifelong journey — much like cultivating a garden. As believers, we’re called to “water the soil” of our faith regularly. This means intentionally nurturing our relationship with God through spiritual disciplines, ongoing reflection, and Christ-like living.

The apostle Paul compares spiritual maturity to a process in which God causes growth. Through using our spiritual gifts, we can plant and water seed, but it is God who grows it (1 Corinthians 3:6).

While growth is God’s work, our role is to cooperate with Him by tending the soil of our hearts — feeding it with His Word, nourishing it with prayer, watering it with learning and growing in the knowledge of God, and guarding it through obedience and community.

The Journey of Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth unfolds in stages. Every believer starts with a foundational faith — a response to Christ’s call. But we are not meant to stay spiritual infants. Growth moves us deeper into trust, knowledge, obedience, and fruitfulness. The Apostle Peter instructs believers to continue growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18) so we can become more like Jesus.

Growth requires patience and intentionality. Just as a gardener must water a seed long before it sprouts, we must cultivate faith even when progress feels slow or unseen.

Deepening Roots Through Spiritual Practices

One of the most important elements in watering our spiritual soil is in how it strengthens the roots of our faith. Strong roots help us remain grounded during life’s storms.

Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that He is our source (John 15:5), but we are the stewards of all God gives us. We cannot be firmly rooted unless we water and care for what God’s given (Jeremiah 17:7–8; Colossians 2:6–7; Ephesians 3:17). God plants us by living water (Psalm 1:3); we must seek it (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18).

Spiritual practices like prayer, Bible study, and worship deepen our roots. They keep our hearts open to God’s leading and help us resist the pull of worldly distractions. These practices keep our roots moist, watering them through knowing Jesus better. Try this rhythm:

• Daily prayer — Open and close your day with God
• Scripture meditation — Focus on a passage each week
• Journaling — Track your reflections, questions, and insights

Building Spiritual Muscle

As we grow, we need to build strength — not just knowledge, but the ability to live what we believe. This includes saying no to temptation, yes to love, and choosing truth over comfort.

The next step that is critical to knowing God is training ourselves to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7–8). Just as physical muscles grow with resistance, spiritual muscles grow as we practice godly living: patience, kindness, humility, and integrity — especially when it’s hard.

Ask yourself: Am I growing stronger in Christ-like responses when tested, under pressure?

Developing Spiritual Discernment

As maturity deepens, so does discernment — the ability to distinguish God’s voice, make wise decisions, and align actions with His will.

Discernment comes by engaging with Scripture (Hebrews 5:14), observing the fruit of decisions, and inviting counsel from spiritually mature believers.

A good starting point: Before major decisions, ask, “Does this honor God’s truth? Does this draw me or others closer to Christ?”

Maintaining Momentum and Measuring Growth

Even the healthiest gardens face dry spells. In our faith journey, plateaus can feel discouraging — but they are also invitations to examine our hearts, set new goals, and lean into God’s grace.

The Apostle Paul instructs believers to regularly examine themselves to see whether they are “in the faith“ (2 Corinthians 13:5). This is not just about being saved, but periodically assessing our spiritual condition to know that we are still on track: following Jesus, putting off the old nature, and putting on Christ (Romans 13:14).

Maintaining momentum involves:

• Setting new growth goals — Stretch yourself spiritually
• Reassessing routines — Refresh habits that have grown stale
• Seeking accountability — Share goals with someone who will pray and encourage you

Indicators of Spiritual Maturity

How can you know you’re growing? Look for spiritual fruit — the singular fruit of the Spirit, made visible through nine interwoven characteristics: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23, also Colossians 3:12), and followed by external fruit of doing good (Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 10:24). The Bible is clear that by their works we will know whether they are children of God (Matthew 5:16; Matthew 7:16–20; Titus 1:16).

These traits reflect a Spirit-led life. As they increase, you’ll notice:

• Greater peace during trials
• A deeper hunger for God’s presence
• A growing witness through your words and actions
• A steady commitment to joy, even when life is hard

Reflect and Respond

Here are some questions to help you water your soil and reflect on your growth:

• What spiritual appetites have changed in me over the past year?
• Am I responding to challenges with more faith and less fear?
• What areas of my life still need deeper rooting in God’s truth?
• Who can help hold me accountable as I pursue spiritual growth?

Set a simple, attainable spiritual growth goal this week — something like reading through a Gospel, starting a prayer journal, or attending a Bible study.

Final Encouragement

Jesus said that as you bear fruit, you show yourselves to be His disciples (John 15:8).

Your spiritual growth glorifies God. It also refreshes others. Keep watering the soil of your soul. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Then, keep growing, strengthening the roots through watering. And remember — you’re not doing it alone. God is faithful to finish what He started in you (Philippians 1:6).