Every believer embarks on a journey—a path that begins at the foot of the Cross and leads, ultimately, to the glory of the Crown. Along this journey, we grow in faith, deepen our relationship with God, and strive to reflect His image in our lives. This spiritual walk, however, is not a one-size-fits-all experience. The Bible paints a vivid picture of believers across a spectrum of spirituality and maturity, offering insight into where we are and where we are called to be.
As we explore this spectrum, we’ll uncover the nuances of the spiritual journey—from the infant’s first steps of faith to the unwavering endurance of God’s closest friends. Along the way, we’ll reflect on how we can move forward, leaning on God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Standpoint of Spirituality: The Carnal and the Spiritual
The Carnal Believer: A Divided Heart
The carnal believer occupies a precarious position in the spectrum of faith. Paul describes them in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 as “people of the flesh,” who are infants in Christ, unable to handle the solid food of deeper spiritual truths. Their lives, though redeemed, remain dominated by the sinful nature, characterized by envy, strife, and division.
Carnality doesn’t mean a lack of salvation—it means a divided heart. Like Lot, whose story unfolds in Genesis, carnal believers walk the line between God’s call and the allure of the world. Lot, though righteous in standing, lingered in Sodom, torn between his identity as Abraham’s nephew and his entanglement in worldly concerns.
The carnal believer’s journey is marked by struggle, but it’s not without hope. Paul exhorts believers in Romans 8:6 to shift their mindset from the flesh to the Spirit, for “to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” This is the invitation: to move from division to wholeness, from immaturity to spiritual vitality.
The Spiritual Believer: Walking by the Spirit
In contrast, the spiritual believer is one whose life is guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul highlights this in Galatians 5:16-25, where he describes the Spirit-led life as one that bears the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
A spiritual believer is not perfect but is surrendered. They echo the Psalmist’s cry in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” They actively seek God’s will, relying on the Spirit to convict, guide, and empower. Spiritual believers reflect the freedom of living under grace, confident in the promises of Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
The journey from carnality to spirituality is not a leap but a process. It requires daily yielding to the Spirit, repentance, and a hunger for God’s truth. The spiritual believer grows by abiding in Christ, as Jesus teaches in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
Standpoint of Growth: From Infancy to Maturity
The Baby Believer: Leaning Faith
The first stage of the believer’s journey is marked by wonder and dependence. As newborns in Christ, baby believers crave spiritual milk, as Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
This stage is vital, full of growth and learning. Baby believers lean heavily on the foundational truths of the gospel: God’s love, forgiveness, and grace. They are like Abram in Genesis 15:6, who leaned on God’s promise and was counted righteous. Their faith is simple yet profound, rooted in trust rather than deep theological understanding.
But infancy is not the destination. Just as physical growth is expected of a child, spiritual growth is God’s will for His children. The danger for baby believers is stagnation. Paul’s lament in Hebrews 5:12-13 warns against remaining in this stage: “You need milk, not solid food.” The call is to press forward, moving from dependence to maturity.
The Adolescent Believer: Wrestling Faith
Adolescence in faith is a season of transition, where knowledge begins to blossom, but challenges arise. Adolescents are described in 1 John 2:13-14 as those who are strong, with God’s Word abiding in them, yet they face the wrestling of faith—questions, doubts, and the refining of convictions.
This stage is marked by spiritual victories and setbacks. Like Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32, adolescent believers grapple with their identity and calling. They begin to grasp deeper truths, yet their application of these truths can be inconsistent. They may mistake knowledge for wisdom or zeal for maturity.
Adolescents need mentors and the community of faith to guide them. Their wrestling is not a failure but a vital part of growth. As they learn to trust God through struggles, their faith shifts from head knowledge to heart transformation, preparing them for greater responsibilities in the kingdom.
The Mature Believer: Confident Faith
Mature believers are those who have learned to discern good from evil, as Hebrews 5:14 describes. Their faith is confident, not in themselves but in God’s unchanging character. They are like Paul in Philippians 3:12-14, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Maturity is not measured by age or tenure in the faith but by the consistent application of God’s Word and a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit. Mature believers take responsibility for their spiritual walk, feeding on the meat of Scripture and investing in others. They understand the cost of discipleship and embrace it with joy.
But maturity is not the final destination. Beyond maturity lies the calling to influence others, to become spiritual heroes and friends of God.
The Pinnacle of Faith: Hero and Friend
The Hero of Faith: Healing Faith
The heroes of faith, celebrated in Hebrews 11, are those who have moved beyond personal growth to become agents of healing and restoration. They are like battlefield medics, tending to the wounded and lifting the fallen. Their faith is resilient, tested by fire but refined into gold.
Isaiah 53:12 portrays the ultimate hero of faith—Christ—who bore the sins of many and intercedes for transgressors. Heroes of faith reflect Christ’s sacrificial love. They are marked by humility, courage, and a commitment to others. They step into the lives of the broken, not as saviors but as vessels of God’s grace.
The Friend of God: Enduring Faith
Finally, there is the highest calling: to be a friend of God. Abraham is called this in James 2:23, not because of his perfection but because of his enduring faith. Friends of God walk closely with Him, their lives intertwined with His purposes.
This stage is not about accomplishments but intimacy. Friends of God, like the eagles of Isaiah 40:31, soar on the strength of their relationship with the Creator. They endure trials with unwavering trust, their faith steadfast in the face of uncertainty.
To be a friend of God is to know Him deeply, to delight in His presence, and to align one’s heart with His. It is the culmination of the journey, where the believer finds rest not in doing but in being—fully known and fully loved by God.
The Call to Move Forward
The spectrum of believers is not static; it’s a journey. Each stage is an invitation to grow deeper, to yield more fully to the Spirit, and to reflect Christ more clearly. Whether you find yourself in infancy, adolescence, maturity, or beyond, the call remains the same: press on.
Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6 remind us of the promise: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” The journey may be long, but it is guided by a faithful God who equips, sustains, and empowers His people.
Let us strive not just for maturity but for intimacy. Let us pursue not just knowledge but transformation. Let us become not just believers but friends of God, walking closely with Him until we see Him face to face.