What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Development?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2 Timothy 2:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Colossians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Colossians 2:20-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Colossians 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

Ephesians 4:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Ephesians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ...

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ...

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Romans 16:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Acts 20:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 11:24-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 7:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

Acts 2:47 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

John 16:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Luke 12:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 24:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Isaiah 55:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

Isaiah 8:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Proverbs 26:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Leviticus 23:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

56 Bible Verses about Spiritual Development

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:20-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 11:24-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 7:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:47 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 12:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 8:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 23:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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