Becoming A Better Christian

17 Feb Becoming A Better Christian

Few days ago, gathered at the table, it was one of our sons’ turn to lead the family in prayer. One of the prayers he led us in was simple yet profound and thought provoking. It was about becoming a better christian.
He asked us to pray that God would help us be better Christians. For some days following, I pondered on this prayer.

While I know that The Holy Spirit is willing, able, and ready to help us, He has to see that we want to become better and we are willing to follow His lead. As I thought a bit more on this I asked myself; how do I know that I am becoming better? How does anyone know they are growing in their walk with God?

I have come to conclude that becoming a better Christian is not so much of doing but of being. It is a continuous inward growth and change that produces right living and doing.

Becoming a better christian is more of being than doing. Click To Tweet

God expects every child of His to grow. Click To Tweet

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

How to know you are becoming a better christian?

1. Are you aware of where you are right now?

In order to know whether or not you are becoming a better Christian. You must know where you are in your walk with God. Before you can measure progress, you must take cognizance of your past or current position.

Anyone who does not take note of where they were or where they are, will not be able to determine if they are growing in their faith and walk with God.

Some people know their state of faith are but ignore or deny it. Click To Tweet

Ignoring or denying one’s state of faith does not change anything. It rather poses a great threat to the persons faith and Christian life.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

2. To become a better christian your mind must be changing.

One major way to know if one is becoming a better Christian is to check their thought life. A growing Christian thinks more in line with God’s word. They will not think dirty, vain, doubtful and negative thoughts like they used too.

These thoughts do not go away automatically but a growing Christian will not entertain thoughts that go against God’s word. The thoughts will come but will not be allowed to fester.

I reiterate; these thoughts do not go automatically but there should a continual strive for growing positive change in our thought life.

The thought life directly affects the mind. My mind as a Christian must continually progress in thinking God’s kind of thoughts. My perspective of myself, others, the world, and God’s kingdom must continually progress in it’s lining up with God’s word.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

3. Is your spirit gaining ascendency over your flesh?

The flesh is always fighting to control a believer. Man’s flesh and the spirit are constantly at each other’s throats. The flesh tirelessly wants to control the life of man but a growing Christian knows to always silence the flesh via Gods word.

We know we are becoming better Christians when our spirits are continually gaining ascendency over the flesh. When the spirit gains more and more control over the flesh, then one can say he or she is becoming a better Christian.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14 NKJV

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8 NKJV

4. Is God’s word your decision guide?

Growing in faith means growing in the ability to make God’s word the basis of every decision and choice.

When I newly got saved, I could only do this to the extent of God’s word I had taken to heart. Now, I was brought up in the best morally upright manner my parents could lay hands on, but when it came down to make decisions, those moral standards gave way to my carnality.

Children of God are born by His word and can only live successful Christian lives by His word.

To know if I am growing is Christ I must determine the progress I am making in letting His word influence my every decision.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NLT

I know there would most likely be other yardsticks we could use in measuring our position and progress in the faith.
So what do you think?

Are there more you would like to share with my readers and I?

Please share in the comment box.

Photo Credit: Algria
Copyright: Ugochi Oritsejolomisan 2020