How do you describe/define spiritual maturity?

Question

What qualities and characteristics are demonstrated by the spiritual mature person?

Answer 1

You could write several books on this and still not be close, because the only ones who would understand would be those who went through similar experiences and had a very close knowledge base to start with.

When I think of this question pertains to my life, I think of what it means to offer bits of truth for others to be curious of learning about.
I've failed many times trying to tell some friends or family why certain things are important if you see them at certain angles, but I always get the feeling that they think I am trying to sell them something. I sometimes wonder why I try to get people on the same level of thinking I am on but it never seems to work. So I have learned a few lessons.
I quit telling them, all I could do is offer something interesting for them to ponder, ask them what they thought about it and refused to talk more about it. I figure, if they liked it and want to know, they will, on their own accord. That's the way I got here, at this level. You can't just hand people the fire and expect it to burn.

It makes me think on why some mystical paths promote oaths of secrecy, not because they don't want you to know....Just the opposite....They do very badly, but they want you to take it as it comes in pieces and desire for you to ask questions.

But the question is still, WHY. Why the search for understanding and the like mind environment. It seems very synergistical. Almost, dependent, more interdependent. Do I truly need others to unlock my creative juices, I'm not sure but it seems so real. To build off of other's ideas is truly remarkable and sometimes I wonder if the synergy exists with individuals long gone.

If I pick up where a great thinker stopped, and continue his work, it still has synergistical feelings.

Anyways, the abilty to recognize other's thinking patterns and which concepts they hide behind could be an attribute also. Makes me think of where I was years ago. How much I could see and how much I refused to see due to my loyalty to a certain belief.

The question I seem to be asking myself nowadays is this, "What is the next step"
Should I join a mystical order or fraternal group? Are there disadvantages?

Should I remain on my solo journey discerning half-truths and taking things as I come?
It doesn't satisfy my craving for like minds however. Even if I find them, they aren't here for one on one talks like I crave also.
The internet is okay, but it's not personal enough.

I should wrap this up, so although it may be exciting knowing this is heaven, how can you let people borrow your eyes to see it that way. You can't just tell them, all I can truly do is live life as it were heaven already and maybe they'll want some of what I'm having. If I can create, if that is what all this is about, then I should do something about my surroundings and create the world I desire to live in, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I will be the change.

Answer 2

Truly God is the only one who can clearly identify spiritual maturity, because it's key factor is the closeness of the person's relationship to the Lord. It was said of Charles Spurgeon that if you were with him when he prayed, you would feel from the first moment as if you were drawn with him immediately into the throne room of God. That's pretty tight.

Another way of looking at it is this: The processes of life are like the motion of a spinning top. The unsaved top leans and wobbles and moves around. The saved top stops moving around, and as it spins it slowly stands up straight. That is the way the Holy Spirit draws us into a closer relationship with the Lord. First He keeps us in one place, then He focuses us on the Lord.

I guess the simplest way of saying all this is steadfastness, or steadiness, or continuity. Additionally, there will be spiritual fruit, but the steadfastness points to maturity.

Answer 3

The spiritually mature person will show signs of compassion, love, trust, caring, willingness to help others no matter what, etc. There is a long list of things that can show how spiritually mature a person is. I can think of a lot of people that I know that show these signs, but the very first person that I think of is my mum, followed by Mother Theresa.

Answer 4

Spiritual Maturity is defined by being able to answer, Who am "I"?

The quality needed to learn how to answer that question comes from being open.
The characteristics needed to become truly open are honesty.
Honesty comes from having the upmost desire to change for the better.
Change begins by accepting responsibility for ALL your wrong doing, then by taking responsibility (by being truly Honest and Open about all your mistakes while seriously Wanting to change for the better).
That is HOW people find meaning and purpose for everything, and discover who/what they truly are.
Spirtual Maturity also brings with it an understanding with and for everything.

Answer 5

This is difficult, because there are many levels of spiritual awareness. Some of us aim higher than others, and different criteria apply to each level.
It can be compared to different levels of education. A diferent level of knowledge is required for a pass at university, compared to a secondary, or primary education.

But the lowest criterion, comparable to kindergaretn, is self-realization. The highest criterion is complete knowledge of the laws of the Universe. Anyone who reaches this stage, becomes divine. Only three Souls will reach this stage. Hence the holy trinity. Jesus Christ is one of the three.

Answer 6

Well they can discern between good and evil when it comes to spiritual teachings for one thing.

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

The other notable characteristic is they demonstrate the "fruit of the spirit" even when circumstances that would try the faith and patience of less mature believers suddenly confront them.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

In other words they don't get taken in by fancy talking false teachers who come with the name of Jesus on their lips but who preach what if it is closely examined is in reality another gospel. And they exhibit joy and love and peace even when circumstances would cause these qualities to evaporate from most people's personas and they react with patient kindness, good naturedly accepting by faith that no trial can come upon them that God doesn't know that they will be able to bear.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Answer 7

Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness--these are the qualities by which the spiritually mature work.

A spiritually advanced person is truthful and is able to control their senses. He/She is humble, tolerant,does not envy anyone and is expert in performing acts of compassion and giving in charity.

He/She is fundamentally a "first class" person.

Answer 8

I think a spiritually mature person is at peace with what they believe, either through study or life experience. They have a strong faith and do care what people think about it, whether they are ridiculed or not.

Answer 9

There is no such thing as spiritual maturity, because we are always learning, no matter how old you are, you can always read a passage from a bible and get a new meaning.

Answer 10

The fruit of the Spirit (that's the Holy Spirit) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience, forebearance), gentleness (kindness), goodness (benevolence), faith (faithfulness), meekness (humility), temperance (self-control).