3 Attitudes of a Spiritually Mature Young Person
Text: Psalm 105:1–4
Introduction
Spiritual maturity in a young person is not measured by how many years they have sat in a church pew, but by the quality of their response to God’s grace. God is always attentive, watching for our reaction after He has done in us what no one else could do.
True maturity is moving beyond a "transactional" relationship with God—where we only seek Him when we need a favor—and moving toward a "relational" heart that seeks Him simply for who He is. As seen in Deuteronomy 4:29 and 1 Chronicles 28:9, God promises that if we seek Him with all our heart and soul, we will find Him. Today, we explore three specific attitudes that define a young heart that is growing deep in Christ.
1. Give Thanks and Praise the Lord
Text: Psalm 105:1a
In some circles, being expressive about God is seen as "cheesy" or "too much." But for the spiritually mature, praise is a logical response to a great God.
• The Definition of Praise: To praise (Alabar) means to laud, to extol, to exalt, and to magnify. It is the act of giving God "the credit" for everything good in our lives.
• The Priority of Praise: We often catch ourselves giving excessive praise and "likes" to celebrities, influencers, or athletes who don't even know we exist. Maturity is recognizing that no one deserves more "fanfare" in our lives than God.
• Application: A mature young person isn't ashamed to lift their voice or their hands. They have realized that God is the only one worthy of being magnified above all else.
2. Call Upon His Name and Seek His Face
Text: Psalm 105:1b, 4
There is a difference between "calling on God" for a miracle and "invoking His name" in worship.
• Beyond the "Wish List": Think about the last few times you prayed. How many of those times were purely to ask for something? Imagine the maturity of a young person who enters the presence of God and says: "Lord, today I didn’t come to ask for anything... I came to ask what You want ME to do."
• The Example of Hannah: In 1 Samuel 1:19–28, after Hannah received the son she prayed for, she didn't just walk away. She returned to the temple to "invoke His name" in gratitude and to fulfill her vow. She sought God's face even after the problem was solved.
• Seeking His Face Always: Psalm 105:4 tells us to "seek his face always." Not just in the bad times, but in the best moments. Maturity is knowing that we need God just as much when things are going right as we do when things are going wrong.
3. Make Known His Deeds Among the Nations
Text: Psalm 105:1c–3
A spiritually mature young person cannot keep a secret. When you truly experience the power of God, you become a herald of His wonders.
• The Divine Mouthpiece: God uses us as His "marketing department" on earth. We are called to tell the stories of His wonders and His love to everyone—to our friends, our classmates, and "among the peoples."
• Boasting in His Holy Name: To "glory in his holy name" means to be proud of who God is. It is an outward expression of an inward reality.
• The Secret to Joy: Verse 3 reveals a spiritual law: "Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice." A heart that is busy praising, seeking, and serving God is a heart that cannot remain sad. Maturity brings a joy that isn't based on circumstances, but on the greatness of God's works.
- 7 Things Young People Can Do for the Lord
- Youth: How to Have a Real Experience with God
- Youth Alert: Beware of the Wrong Places
Conclusion
Are you growing, or are you just getting older? Spiritual maturity is found in these three shifts:
1. From silence to praise.
2. From asking to seeking His face.
3. From keeping it to yourself to making His deeds known.
God is looking for young people who will respond to His goodness with a life of total devotion. Let your life be a testimony of someone who doesn't just know about God, but someone who seeks Him continually.
