Emotionally immature people can do great damage to others. This is compounded when these same people perceive themselves to be spiritually mature.
I’ve seen this far too often. A few examples:
1. Years ago, a “spiritually mature” person explained to me over lunch why he didn’t have to forgive a family member for the way this person had treated him. (He had accused this family member of swindling him in a financial deal.) This “spiritually mature” person concluded that he did not have to forgive this person because Jesus did not address situations exactly like his.
2. A person who saw himself as “spiritually mature” was not on speaking terms with a person who had been a longtime friend. This “spiritually mature” person would not speak unless spoken too. He would deliberately move to the other side of a room if it appeared he would be in close proximity of his former friend. This became obvious to others. On one occasion, he was confronted about the problem that existed between the two and denied there was any problem.
So how does a person seeking maturity behave?
A maturing person seeks to behave appropriately (instead of allowing raw emotion to dictate one’s response).
A maturing person seeks to grow and display the virtues of Christ (instead of yielding to one’s own fleshly appetites).
A maturing person desires to display love (instead of yielding to one’s moodiness or impulsivity).
A maturing person takes responsibility for her emotions (instead of justifying foolish, self-absorbed behavior).
A maturing person is known for integrity and truthfulness (instead of being known for manipulation and a self-seeking attitude.)
I like the following thoughts by Peter Scazzero:
It’s taking people beyond outward changes and moving into the depths of their interior life in order to be transformed.
We look at this process in two broad strokes. First, we say that every Christian should have a contemplative life. Simply put, that means that each follower of Christ needs to cultivate a deep relationship with Christ—without living off other people’s spiritual lives. That requires slowing down and structuring your whole life in such a way that Christ really becomes your Center.
Secondly, emotionally healthy spirituality means that emotional maturity and spiritual maturity go hand in hand. It’s simply not possible to become spiritually mature while you remain emotionally immature. And emotional maturity really boils down to one thing: love. So if you’re critical, defensive, touchy, unapproachable, insecure—telltale signs of emotional immaturity—you can’t be spiritually mature. It doesn’t matter how “anointed” you are or how much Bible knowledge you have. Love is that indispensable mark of maturity. Emotionally healthy spirituality unpacks what that looks like (“The Spiritual Importance of Becoming an Emotionally Healthy Preacher,”
Question:
How would you describe the behavior who is serious about maturing?
Very good, Jim. I think one characteristic of a maturing person is being able to detect immaturity in oneself, being able to see the plank in one’s own eye.