Growth & Maturity: The Bible’s Impact on Them
Malnutrition is an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs to function and the nutrients it gets. It can mean undernutrition or overnutrition. You can be malnourished from an overall lack of calories, or you might have protein, vitamin or mineral deficiency. You might also have more excess calories than your body knows what to do with.
Your body needs a variety of nutrients and in certain amounts, to maintain its tissues and its many functions. Malnutrition happens when the nutrients it gets don’t meet these needs. You can be malnourished from an overall lack of nutrients, or you may have an abundance of some kinds of nutrients but lack other kinds. Even the lack of a single vitamin or mineral can have serious health consequences for your body. On the other hand, having an excess of nutrients can also cause problems.
Undernutrition is what most people think of when they think of malnutrition. Undernutrition is a deficiency of nutrients. You may be undernourished if you don’t have an adequate diet, or if your body has trouble absorbing enough nutrients from your food. Undernutrition can cause visible wasting of fat and muscle, but it can also be invisible. You can be overweight and undernourished.
If you are a parent and your children were suspected of malnutrition, that would be considered as neglect and eventually, child abuse would be deemed. If found guilty of negligence, you will be fined and likely lose your child.
Growing in faith is crucial for spiritual strength and maturity. It is a sign of a deeper connection with GOD. If you are spiritually malnutrition or undernutrition, you are in danger of becoming spiritually imbalanced, thus, unable to function in the manner the Spirit of GOD has deemed you ready for.
Improving personal and spiritual are must-haves. The whole person growth is an approach that focuses on improving personal and emotional skills, or “soft skills”, in addition to traditional professional skills. It helps to be Biblically strong and capable as well. Those who have been following the Way of the Master for some time better understand the attitudes, beliefs, and skills associated with thriving and optimal performance of a faithful student of the Word of GOD and the Moreh (Teacher/Instructor), called the Holy Spirit.
Personal growth is the improvement of our skills, knowledge, wisdom, habits, behavior, and relational qualities that tie us to the Christ. It allows you to reach your full spiritual, emotional and mental potential. Yes! It really is possible to be your best soul self and live your life in a content, orderly and fruitful manner.
“How is that possible?”, you ask. That is a really good question. Knowing Yeshua and His Father is essential for accomplishing this goal set by the Father from the foundation of the world. It became even MORE specific when you said, “Yes” to serving His Son.
When you affirmed your faith in what GOD has done in and through His sin, you absolutely had events taking place in your life. Here are some that began taking place in mine and helped shape me and countless others with the understanding of how to better serve the Creator’s Purpose and Plan, when we were formed and birthed. Look at what the Spirit of truth does. Mind you, He does not do it as we sit around and become unhealthy in the pews (or at home) of malnutrition and undernutrition. The Spirit of GOD uses what you eat that GOD supplied you.
We all learn these things, as we eat the Word, Pray, Fast and Build godly Relationships among other things:
Salvation and Eternal Life: Knowing Jesus is crucial for salvation and eternal life, as seen in John 17:3, which states, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true GOD, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent."
The Way to GOD: Jesus is described as the exclusive way to GOD the Father, as stated in John 14:6, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Transformation and Renewal: Knowing Yeshua leads to spiritual transformation and renewal, as noted in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" Christ is the New in your life!
Source of Wisdom and Knowledge: Knowing Jesus is portrayed as the key to true wisdom and understanding, as emphasized in Colossians 2:2-3, "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of GOD, namely the Messiah, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Developing the whole spiritual person involves focusing on multiple aspects of development.
Healthy emotional development is the building the steady expression of feelings and emotional intelligence.
Spiritual development is a huge part of the development of morals, values and balanced personality traits.
Maturation is the process of becoming completely developed mentally or emotionally. It often refers to the emergence of individual and behavioral characteristics through growth processes and practices over time. Maturation can be used to describe the process of becoming a spiritual grown-up.
Growing in one's faith is significant because it reflects a deeper understanding of GOD, your spiritual growth requirement and His plan for those who chose to follow Him in His Ways.
WARNING: Stagnation is dangerous. Growing in faith is essential to avoid sluggishness, as it encourages continuous learning and development in one's relationship with GOD.
Recognizing and understanding the various levels of faith can help individuals create a solid plan for their spiritual growth.
Finding and engaging in practical tips and activities and prayer can enhance one's faith, leading to a deeper spiritual experience.
Understanding GOD: The more one understands GOD's will and power, the stronger their faith will grow, which in turn influences their actions and confidence in His promises.
All of this maturation hinges on your connection with His Son and the Holy Spirit.
NOTE: Hope is the engine that drives this journey. It is the direct connection with all of our faith. The absence of hope in Christ can be destructive in several ways:
It can lead to spiritual desolation, causing individuals to feel disconnected from GOD.
Hopelessness may result in a loss of faith, can lead to questioning GOD's love and faithfulness, which can weaken one's belief. This is a sneaky tool of the enemy of your soul. His name is Satan.
Despair without hope is characterized by a sense of abandonment and a feeling of being beyond redemption. Sin and habitually living in it will certainly cause this. Be aware.
The Scriptures (all 66 books) offers hope and life, which is essential for overcoming the destructive nature of sin. The accounts of the Life of the Redeemer, Yeshua the Messiah, are vital, but the rest of the books are all His accounts working in and through obedient servants. DO NOT ignore them!
Living without hope can lead to a lack of purpose and a sense of hopelessness, impacting one's overall well-being.