What are useful metrics for spiritual growth?

Jonathan Hayashi April 2, 2024

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The goal of biblical counseling is for the Christian to give greater glory to God (1 Cointhians 10:13) and be more pleasing before the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:9).

But how can we help others grow in spiritual maturity? How can we help our children be more Christ-like? How can I learn to live, love, and lead more like Jesus in spiritual maturity? How do you know one is just "conforming" verses "transforming" in their likeness to Jesus?

Here are two metrics I use with being conformed to a program and transformed to a person (Jesus).

1. Conforming to religious rules as a duty

• Is the person simply following the policies?

• Are they looking for a loophole of continue to be living for "self" rather than "God"?

• Does the person focus more on outside "behavioral modification"?

• Conforming to "rules" only bring temporary change rather than life-long change?

• Changing for "fear of man" by avoiding punishment and judgment from others?

• Is this dependence on "self-will" power or compliance by holding on to "self" for applauds of man?

• Inwardly hiding sin and "covering up" towards others?

• Manipulating to deflect the sin of others?

• Performance based on relationship with other people?

• End goal of focused with only doing the "bare minimum"?

2. Transforming to the likeness of Christ

• Is the person walking in personal transformation? The evidence will be where the individual is looking for every opportunity to grow in Christlikeness.

• Is the person more focused on the inside "heart level" to be transformed by the renewing of their mind?

• "Transforming" to likeness of Christ is long-lasting, as God is doing an inner work.

• Transforming for "fear of God" is based on love and positive motivation.

• Outwardly releasing sin and "confessing up" to God (1 John 1:9).

• Maturing by owning up to personal sin.

• Performance based on relationship with God himself.

• End goal of focused with doing all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The gospel application to the heart level

At the heart of the issue of those "conformed" versus "transformed" is the problem of the person's world revolving around the me-center of the universe.

God opposes the behavior of those who claim to be wise but are worldly and are puffed up with pride. The Bible even says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6). When the gospel is gently pressed on the heart of an individual, it humbles the heart and transformation takes place.

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Dr. Jonathan Hayashi earned his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute with a double concentration in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies; a M.A., in Congregational Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and Doctorate of Educational Ministry in Biblical Counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He presently serves on the Executive Committee at Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor at Northern Hills Baptist Church Holt, Missouri from 2020-2022. Learn More »

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