10 Signs of Spiritual Growth: How to Know You Are Growing Closer to God

You love Jesus.

You read your Bible. You pray. You go to church.

But you may still wonder:

Am I really growing spiritually?

Spiritual growth is not always easy to see.

A tree does not become tall in one day. It grows little by little. In the same way, God often changes us one day, one choice, and one act of obedience at a time.

The question is not whether you have become perfect.

The question is whether you are becoming more like Jesus.

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Here are 10 signs that God is growing you.

How Do I Know If I Am Growing Spiritually?

Spiritual growth often shows up in changes in your heart and everyday life.

You begin wanting to know God more. His Word changes the way you live. Prayer becomes part of your life. You become quicker to admit when you are wrong and more willing to forgive.

Your reactions begin to change. Obeying Jesus becomes more important. You care more about other people. You keep following Jesus through hard seasons. And eventually, you want to help someone else follow Him.

You will not grow perfectly in every area.

Look for direction, not perfection.

1. You Want to Know God More

One sign of spiritual growth is a deeper desire for God.

You do not only want God to fix your problems. You want to know Him.

You want to understand His Word. You want to hear His truth. You want to spend time with Him.

James 4:8 (NKJV)
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Your hunger for God may not feel strong every day. Some days will be harder than others.

Keep coming to Him.

A growing disciple keeps seeking Jesus.

Ask yourself: Do I want to know God more today than I did before?

2. God's Word Is Changing How You Live

Knowing Bible verses is good.

Living them is better.

A growing Christian begins asking:

“What does God want me to do with what I just read?”

The Bible begins changing your words, choices, relationships, priorities, and actions.

James 1:22 (NKJV)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

Do not read the Bible only to finish a chapter.

Read it to hear from God.

Then obey what He shows you.

Spiritual growth happens when God's truth moves from your Bible into your life.

Related: How to Hear God's Voice Through Scripture

3. Prayer Is Becoming Part of Your Life

Growing Christians learn that prayer is more than asking God for things.

Prayer becomes part of your relationship with Him.

You praise God.

You confess sin.

You ask for help.

You pray for others.

You thank Him.

You learn to trust Him while you wait.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Pray without ceasing.”

You may still struggle with prayer.

That does not mean you are not growing.

Growth can begin with a simple prayer:

“Lord, I need You today.”

Then keep talking with Him.

Related: How to Build a Stronger Daily Prayer Life

4. You Are Quicker to Admit When You Are Wrong

Spiritual maturity does not mean you never sin.

It means you become more willing to deal with sin.

Instead of hiding it, defending it, or blaming someone else, you bring it to God.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) teaches that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us.

A growing Christian learns to say:

“I was wrong.”

“Please forgive me.”

“Lord, change me.”

That is not weakness.

That is growth.

5. You Are Learning to Forgive

People will hurt you.

Some wounds are small. Others are deep.

Forgiveness can be difficult. Deep wounds may take time to work through.

But as Christ changes your heart, you become more willing to release bitterness and walk toward forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV) teaches us to forgive one another as God in Christ forgave us.

Forgiving someone does not mean what happened was right.

It means you refuse to let bitterness rule your heart.

The closer we walk with Jesus, the more we understand how much He has forgiven us.

6. Your Reactions Are Beginning to Change

Spiritual growth often shows up in ordinary moments.

Someone speaks harshly to you.

Plans fall apart.

Traffic slows down.

A problem appears.

You receive bad news.

How do you respond?

Maybe you once reacted with anger right away. Now you stop and pray.

Maybe fear once controlled you. Now you remember God's promises.

Galatians 5 teaches about the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

Growth does not mean you never struggle.

It means Jesus is changing how you respond to the struggle.

7. Obeying Jesus Matters More to You

A growing disciple does not only ask:

“What do I want?”

You begin asking:

“What does Jesus want?”

John 14:15 (NKJV)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Obedience may cost you something.

You may need to change a habit.

You may need to apologize.

You may need to give something up.

You may need to take a step of faith.

You may need to do what is right when nobody is watching.

Every act of obedience says:

“Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.”

8. You Care More About Other People

Spiritual growth should not make us proud.

It should make us more loving.

Jesus begins changing the way we see people.

We notice the lonely person.

We pray for the hurting person.

We help someone in need.

We listen.

We encourage.

We serve.

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) teaches us to serve one another through love.

The question begins to change from:

“What can people do for me?”

to:

“How can God use me to help someone today?”

That is spiritual growth.

9. You Keep Following Jesus During Hard Seasons

Faith is easy to talk about when life is going well.

Hard seasons reveal what we truly trust.

You may face disappointment, loss, unanswered prayer, sickness, rejection, or uncertainty.

You may not understand what God is doing.

Yet something inside you keeps saying:

“I will trust Him.”

Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.”

Growing faith does not mean you never have questions.

It means your questions do not make you stop following Jesus.

You keep praying.

You keep believing.

You keep walking.

Going through a difficult season? Read How to Pray When God Seems Silent.

10. You Want to Help Someone Else Follow Jesus

This is one of the greatest signs of spiritual growth.

Your faith stops being only about you.

You begin thinking about someone else.

Who can I encourage?

Who can I pray with?

Who can I read the Bible with?

Who can I help follow Jesus?

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”

You do not need to be a pastor.

You do not need a Bible degree.

You do not need to know every answer.

Start with one person.

Open God's Word together.

Pray together.

Talk about what Jesus is teaching you.

Help each other obey Him.

Then help that person do the same with someone else.

Growing disciples become disciple makers.

Learn more: Why Every Christian Is Called to Make Disciples.

Spiritual Growth Is Not About Perfection

Read these 10 signs again.

You may be strong in some areas and weak in others.

That is okay.

Do not compare your walk with someone else's walk.

Look at where Jesus is leading you.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) reminds us that God will continue the good work He has begun.

God is still working.

Keep opening His Word.

Keep praying.

Keep obeying.

Keep gathering with other believers.

Keep following Jesus.

Keep helping others follow Him.

What If You Don't See These Signs?

Maybe you read this list and realize that some areas of your spiritual life feel weak.

Do not give up.

Instead, ask God to show you where you need to grow.

You do not have to change everything today.

Take one faithful step.

If you feel like your spiritual life has become stuck, continue with:

Why Am I Not Growing Spiritually? 7 Things That May Be Keeping You Stuck

Keep Growing Closer to God

Spiritual growth happens as you keep walking with Jesus.

Spend time with Him.

Read His Word.

Pray.

Obey.

Walk with other believers.

Serve people.

Help someone else follow Jesus.

If you want a simple biblical path for continuing to grow, read:

Christian Spiritual Growth: 7 Steps to Grow Closer to God

Download the Free Printable Guide

Want to look at these 10 signs during your quiet time?

Download the free 10 Signs of Spiritual Growth printable guide.

Use it with your Bible, think through each sign, or share it with someone who wants to grow closer to Jesus.

🌱 DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF

Questions About Spiritual Growth

What are signs of spiritual growth?

Signs can include wanting to know God more, living out Scripture, growing in prayer, admitting when you are wrong, forgiving others, responding differently to problems, obeying Jesus, caring about people, trusting God through hard seasons, and helping others follow Jesus.

How do I know if I am growing closer to God?

Look at the direction of your life. Are you seeking Jesus more? Is God's Word changing you? Are prayer, obedience, love, forgiveness, and service becoming more important?

Does spiritual growth mean I stop sinning?

No. Your article teaches that spiritual maturity does not mean you never sin. One sign of growth is becoming more willing to admit sin, confess it, seek forgiveness, and change. 10 Signs of Spiritual Growth

Why does spiritual growth seem slow?

Like a tree, growth often happens little by little. God may change you through one choice and one act of obedience at a time. 10 Signs of Spiritual Growth

Is obedience a sign of spiritual growth?

Yes. As you grow, the question begins to move from “What do I want?” toward “What does Jesus want?” 10 Signs of Spiritual Growth

Is helping others follow Jesus part of spiritual growth?

Yes. Your article describes wanting to help someone else follow Jesus as one of the greatest signs of growth. Growing disciples begin becoming disciple makers.

Take Your Next Step Today

Do not try to change all 10 areas today.

Choose one.

Ask:

“Lord, where do You want me to grow?”

Then take one faithful step.

Tomorrow, take another.

A strong walk with Jesus is built one faithful step at a time.

Do not just learn about Jesus.

Follow Him.

Do not just grow for yourself.

Help someone else grow.

Follow Jesus. Grow together. Make disciples. Multiply.

About James Constable

James Constable is a Christian author, pastor, teacher, and disciple maker. His writing helps Christians grow closer to Jesus, live out God's Word, become faithful disciples, and help others follow Him.