The Principle of Spiritual Growth

 

The Principle of Spiritual Growth

Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Philippians 3:13 – “Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” 

Aspect	The Principle of Spiritual Growth
Meaning	Spiritual growth is not achieved by accumulating knowledge or experiences, but by maintaining a continual hunger, humility, and renewed need for God. God arranges circumstances to show us our insufficiency so that within us He may produce a “wanting heart,” enabling us to experience fresh fillings of His fullness.
Symbolism	1️⃣  The hungry are filled with good things (Luke 1:53). 2️⃣  Forgetting what lies behind, pressing on to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13). 3️⃣  Empty vessels being filled with oil (2 Kings 4:3–6). ⇒ This shows that spiritual growth follows a pattern of hungering—emptying—being filled—emptying again—being filled again.
Effect	1️⃣  The inner man is renewed and deepened in knowing the Lord. 2️⃣  Past victories no longer become a source of pride or hindrance. 3️⃣  The heart is dug deeper so that more of Christ may fill it. 4️⃣  The operation of the Holy Spirit increases.
Explanation	God often allows situations that bring us to our limit to expose our inability and dependence. We cannot live on yesterday’s manna or past experiences. Every new difficulty requires new grace. When we feel “I have no way,” it becomes the beginning of spiritual progress. The self-satisfied (“rich”) cannot be filled, but those who acknowledge their emptiness can continually receive the Spirit’s supply.
Examples	1️⃣  The widow and Elisha—more empty vessels, more oil (2 Kings 4:1–6). 2️⃣  Paul—forgetting what is behind and pressing forward (Phil. 3:13). 3️⃣  Jesus—Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). 4️⃣  Luke—He has filled the hungry with good things (Luke 1:53).
Application	✦ Maintain a humble and hungry spirit before God. ✦ Do not be content with past experiences; seek new revelation and renewal daily. ✦ Accept trials as means for God to enlarge your capacity. ✦ Learn to “empty yourself” continually—confessing, denying self, and submitting to the cross—so that the Spirit can fill you anew.
Key Points	🔹 The law of growth is continual hunger and emptying. 🔹 God uses circumstances to produce in us a heart that desires Him. 🔹 Past victories are not today’s strength. 🔹 The more empty vessels we bring, the more the Spirit fills. 🔹 Growth is a lifelong process of renewal and deepening.
Detailed Scriptures	🔹 Luke 1:53 – “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” 🔹 Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” 🔹 Philippians 3:13 – “Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” 🔹 2 Kings 4:3–6 – “Go, borrow empty vessels from all your neighbors… pour out into all those vessels… When the vessels were full… she said, ‘Bring me another vessel,’ and he said to her, ‘There is not another one.’ Then the oil stopped.” 🔹 Exodus 16:19–21 – The manna principle: “Do not leave any of it till morning… it bred worms and stank.” (Symbolizing new daily supply from God.)

  

Conclusion: 

Spiritual progress depends not on how much we know but on how much room we give God to work in us. The Lord fills those who are “empty and desiring.” As we remain open and needy, He continually fills us with Himself until we are wholly possessed by Him.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training  General Topic: Matthew 5-7 Vital Aspects Chapter 1 The Blessing of the Poor in Spirit and the Pure in Heart, Who Are Under the Heavenly Rule of Christ the New King, and Who See God and Express Himself in His Life, and Have His Authority to Represent Him