But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). Galatians 5:16 (AMPC)
When my son turned about ten, he started growing like crazy. Sometimes I wondered if he woke up a quarter inch taller every morning. It seemed like he needed new shoes and jeans monthly!
Every time he’d grow out of something we’d think, “What is this kid doing?” Of course, he wasn’t “doing” anything! He didn’t have to “try” to become a man. He’s all male. He was born that way! As he was growing, he was at peace. He didn’t have to work at it. As his parents, we made sure he was eating the right food and getting enough sleep, of course, and we protected him from danger as best we could. But he just naturally grew into a man.
I think we’ve overcomplicated this life of serving Jesus. We’ve made it seem so hard when it’s supposed to be as natural as a child growing into an adult.
Too many Christians are trying hard, scrambling, climbing, working and striving to become good Christians. I want to tell them, “You ARE a Christian. You already ARE in the family. You already ARE a child of God. You already ARE approved of!”
Never stop growing and changing, and the whole time, as it says in Hebrews 4:2-3, be at rest. Just keep feeding yourself the Word, coming out to church, praying, and doing what the Bible teaches, and you will naturally develop and grow into who you are.