Attention to Spiritual Growth
It is what we pay attention to that occupies our minds and the way we live. We can intentionally focus our attention on what we choose to focus on. Some people choose to focus their attention on drinking alcohol and smoking while ignoring the warning of medical experts on the dangers. Hospitals and other health facilities daily welcome patients who find it difficult to give attention to the food they consume. So many marriages failed because the husband hardly paid attention to the needs of the wife and vice versa. Obviously, women enjoy receiving attention from men and that makes them happy. A lot of children and adults are delinquent because their parents failed to pay attention to their good home training. Therefore, what we focus our attention on determines either our well-being or ill-being. I will examine the need to pay attention to every important aspect of our lives because all other aspects of life are impacted when one aspect suffers.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘attention’ as the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something. We can take note of the phrase “taking special care” and this requires conscious efforts. What we focus our attention on can affect us either positively or negatively. When it comes to life, it is important to take special care of every aspect.
One important aspect of life we need to pay attention to is spiritual growth. Man is a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body. The spirit of man can only be regenerated by the Spirit of God – the Supreme Being. Our spiritual beliefs and values affect our choices in terms of what to eat or drink, our relationships, our principles and methods of handling emerging issues. Spirit growth begins with having a personal encounter and relationship with God and we must believe in, develop and maintain a good relationship with God. For Christian believers, there is a need to grow from the point of initial salvation through transformation to the extent of manifesting the power of God and radiating the character of God. The Bible encourages us to grow in faith as well as in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (See 2nd Peter 3:18; 2nd Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:15).
Spiritual growth is important because is it the evolution of a believer to a level of maturity to represent God’s purposes on earth. Spiritual growth is achieved through following the proven pattern Jesus Christ and the early church established and followed which is for believers to continue to devote themselves steadfastly to the ministries of prayer, fasting and the Word of God (Acts 6:4, Luke 2:46,52; Proverbs 4:20). Prayer enhances the believer’s transformation (Luke 9:28), engagement in life battles (Luke 4:1-13) and spiritual legislation – creating desired living conditions (Job 22:28). The Word of God empowers believers to walk in authority; creates the character of God in a believer (Galatians 4:19); gives wisdom and helps to renew the believer’s mind (Romans 12:2).
Remember that you need to pay attention to God by having a relationship with Him for you to grow spiritually. If you are yet to have a relationship with God, say this prayer of salvation: Dear Jesus Christ, come into my heart. I believe that You came, died and rose again to save me. I confess that You are my personal Lord and Savior and I declare that I am born again. Amen!
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 