We may think that by doing Christian disciplines of reading the Bible, prayer, fasting, worshipping at a church, we become spiritually mature. But with all respects to these honorable activities, it is the Holy Spirit who changes our hearts and minds. Does this mean we have to leave all Christian practices? Not at all. But we need to understand that they are simply means to abide in Christ and to walk in the paths where the Spirit walks, where transformation happens. There is definitely a transformation of mind involved (Rom. 12:1-2), and God is more concerned about what kind of person I am and less what kind of deeds I do. Faith walks hand in hand with works (Jam. 2:26). So, we grow as we do and we do as we grow. We should not expect to reach maturity without tests and opportunities to apply what we have learned. We all need good examples of mature spiritual believers. Pray and find one around you.
Eduard Borysov born in Artyomovsk, Ukraine (in 2018 the town was renamed Bakhmut due to decommunization process in Ukraine), is a professor at Kyiv Theological Seminary, Ukraine. His favorite movie is The Kingdom of Heaven, his favorite smell is coffee and chocolate, his first job was helping his dad in construction, and when not engaged in academic rigor he enjoys visiting friends and watching movies.