One of the ways to know or discern if you are still in active in the faith, if you are alive and making tangible spiritual progress is the posture of your heart to God and the things of God
Medical doctors or pharmacists do not just prescribe drugs for their patients, they look for the vital signs; they carry out certain diagnosis to decipher a health challenge in the body; they ask how do you feel, they check the pulse, colour of the eyes, lips, sugar level, body temperature, health history; sometimes, you are asked to carry out a blood or urine test to make a diagnosis.
Just as we have physical health, we also have spiritual health. One accurate diagnosis to check your spiritual health is your attitude to God, and the things of God.
Spiritual growth can not happen if there is no adequate spiritual health. We must place a premium priority on our health if we are going to be active in living for God and serving Him. Health comes first before growth. If you must grow as a believer, you must be healthy.
2 Corinthians 13:5(ESV)
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Every believer must prioritize spiritual growth, and one of the ways to do this is by constant personal diagnosis. The Bible instructs to examine, prove, test and assess yourself. If don’t do it nobody will; the responsibility of your spiritual growth depends on you!
Here are some questions you need to give sincere answers to, by answering these questions genuinely, it will help you diagnose yourself
– Is prayer your top priority, your first resort or last option?
– How often do you read your Bible?
– What is your appetite to the hearing the word of God?
– How often you listen to messages?
– Do you make church attendance a priority?
– Do you delight in Bible reading or do you postpone it?
– Are you always forced to pray?
– Are you always reminded to pray?
– Do you always fall into temptation or you overcome it?
– Are you that person who prays only when you are in trouble?
– Are you accountable to your Cell leader and your ministry gift?
– How is your giving life? How generous are you to God and his work?
– How compassionate are you to other people’s needs?
– Are you a consistent giver or an occasional giver?
– What is your approach to offence?
– Do you forgive easily or you hold tight?
– Do you find it hard to forgive or do you hurt badly?
– What about confession? Are you still battling negative confession?
– What about self control? Are you body ruled? Do you struggle with bad temper, strife, lying etc
– What about integrity? What is your disposition when people are not watching you?
– What about progress? Are you better than where you were last year in your walk with God?
Romans 12:11 (KJV)
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:11 (Berean Study Bible)
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
7 Vital Signs To Check Constantly
1. A strong passion for the word of God (an emphasis on hearing, reading and studying the word of God)and an increase in the knowledge of Christ
2. A consistent and fervent prayer life (both corporate and personal)
3. A growing personal evangelistic ministry of soul winning and discipling other believers
4. A strong love walk towards other believers and even unbelievers
5. A personal supernatural/charismatic ministry – Having a yearn and passion of the supernatural or the miraculous and consistently pursuing it.
6. Generous Giving to the Gospel, the poor and showing mercy to the needy
7. A distinct loyalty, service and commitment to the local church
If all these 7 vital signs are constantly checked in your spiritual health, and you diagnose them properly with a sense of accountability; you will have joy and progress in your walk of faith.
Romans 12 : 11 – 12 (MSG)
11 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant.
12 Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
DECLARATION
Today, I stir up the gift and the fire of God in me. I am active, alert and alive. I am intentional with my spiritual health and growth! I make progress in my walk of faith. I refuse to quit or decline. My path is shining brighter to the perfect day! Glory to God! (Please spend more time to pray in the Holy Ghost)
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
1 Thessalonians 5:19