Locations & Times

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

—Galatians 5:16 ESV

My mother-in-law once shared a funny story about her firstborn, Jeffrey, starting Kindergarten. As the new year approached, Jeffrey began counting down the days until school started. My mother-in-law had told him that he would learn to read in kindergarten, and he was so excited to learn. However, on the first day of school, Jeffrey came home frustrated and convinced that he would not be going back. 

His mother was puzzled by his response. After all, he had been so excited to start school. After asking a few questions about his day, Jeffery told her, “That teacher knows nothing. We didn’t learn to read today!” 

While I laugh at Jeffrey’s response to the expectation that he would master reading on his first day of Kindergarten, I, too, have held similar expectations in my Christian walk.

When I gave my life to Christ and was forgiven and set free, I expected all my struggles and temptations to disappear. However, I noticed that my old habits, empty coping mechanisms, and ongoing struggles didn’t vanish overnight. I learned that walking in the freedom of Christ doesn’t happen instantly. Just like Jeffrey didn’t learn to read in one day, I also had a process to go through. 

The process of learning to read begins with memorizing the alphabet. Then, a beginner reader must learn the correct sounds associated with each letter. Finally, they need to practice blending and sounding out words repeatedly so their ear can start to recognize words. Learning to read happens in stages, just as our walk with Jesus does.

Spiritual growth is also a journey. We begin by surrendering our lives to Christ. As we engage in spiritual disciplines such as reading our Bibles daily, attending church, and praying regularly, we start to notice God’s presence and voice in our lives. By intentionally choosing to do these practices, the Holy Spirit empowers us, and our lives begin to change. It’s like God opens a new world to us—like how a new reader is introduced to the wonder and adventure that reading offers. 

As my faith grew, I noticed changes in my thinking, relationships, family, marriage, and sense of purpose. For the first time in years, I experienced joy and laughter without reaching for a drink. 

But just as learning to read isn't always easy, spiritual growth can hard. God tells us that we will face challenges (John 16:33). God uses these challenges to strengthen us and our faith. When trials come, remind yourself that Jesus promises never to leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is with you always (Matthew 28:20).

Galatians 5:1 encourages us to remain steadfast in our freedom, so we don’t fall back into bondage. “Stand firm” represents an ongoing, persistent effort. We must stay firm in the truth that we have been set free in Christ.

Spiritual growth is an inward transformation that happens as we read the Bible, pray, listen to sound biblical teaching, connect with other believers, and obey what God asks us to do.

We are living in a spiritual battle. Galatians 5:17 tells us that our flesh (our old nature) is constantly at war with God’s Spirit within us (Romans 8:6). The more we give God our yes, the stronger we will grow in our faith. 

I encourage you to reflect on a few questions: Where do you see growth in your walk with Jesus? Where are you wavering in your walk? What is one choice you can make today to say yes to the Spirit and no to the flesh? Who can you invite to walk alongside you in your faith journey?

We will never be perfect people on this side of Heaven. Temptation and sin will always try to lead us astray until we're with Jesus. But I want to encourage you today to remember all the ways God has been faithful to you in the past. God has been faithful before, and He promises to be faithful again, in His timing and His way. 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV).