24 Best Bible Verses About Growth

According to the Bible, growth is a vital part of our Christian walk. Part of our purpose as children of God is to grow in personal holiness. It is referred to as the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the process through which believers grow in holiness as they become more and more like Christ Jesus. In this article, we are going to cover Bible verses about growth. As we walk through God’s Word together, I pray you become increasingly excited about growing in grace! God intends to complete a good work in you and He is faithful in and through the entire process. 

We Were Made to Grow

Transformation is an absolute miracle. As believers we are constantly transforming more and more into the image of God. We were not made to be stagnant. At the moment of justification we were transformed from spiritually dead to spiritually alive. And one day we will be transformed from our mortal bodies to glory. God does both of those things completely independent of us. But all the growth that happens between justification and glorification is the very messy middle. God graciously invites us into the very messy middle to roll up our sleeves and join Him in the work He is doing to transform us week by week, day by day and moment by moment. What a miracle and a gift to be a part of the process. How willing are you to work with God in the messy middle?

Power of the Holy Spirit

We are never alone in the process of growing spiritually, emotionally, physically or mentally. At the moment we become spiritually alive, the Holy Spirit who is dwelling inside of us, is working in us- guiding and helping us turn away from the flesh and sin and toward God. God is also our Healer and works on the wounds of our past for our good and His glory. Without the power of God, we would not be able to trust and obey God. Consequently, we wouldn’t be able to grow… It is also important to note that God uses the Word, life’s circumstances and people in our lives to help us grow and heal in every way possible. 

Benefits of Spiritual Growth

I can’t deny that growth can be painful at times, but it is always productive. Through the growth God determines for our lives, much fruit is harvested. Can you imagine anything better than being more and more like Jesus? Jesus embodies the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When our lives continuously grow in the likeness of Christ we will experience and bear fruit. Bearing this kind of spiritual fruit naturally lends to improved relationships and life. As a result, we have more peace, rest and joy.

Let’s dive into powerful Bible verses about growth…

Bible Verses About Growth

Ephesians 4:11-16 Made for Maturity

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be newborn infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of doctrine and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16

God intends that we grow and become the mature body of Christ. I want to level the playing field here. We will never “arrive” this side of heaven. Growth is part of our journey until we are in the presence of Christ. As a result, a growth mindset is what Paul is pointing to in these verses from Ephesians. In other words, spiritual fruit can be developed through seeking God and depending on His faithfulness to complete a good work in us. Consequently, a benefit of growth according to this passage is no longer being tossed around by deceitful teaching. In other words, stability in our lives as we stand on the foundation of Christ (Truth). 

2 Peter 3:18  Made for Growth

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18

Growing in grace is part of our purpose. Whenever we are growing and transforming into the likeness of Christ, we are literally leaning into our purpose. There is nothing more powerful than living in the purpose for which we are made. How do you actively pursue knowledge of our Lord? To what area of growth is God calling you?

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish things behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:11

This is another Scripture that points to the very thing that is apart of the Christian life- growth!

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Growth is Step by Step

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

If you feel overwhelmed by the areas of growth you would like to see take place, then I want to encourage you… Growth is step by step. It doesn’t happen overnight. We all start somewhere. I read once that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now. I didn’t seek God in His Word until much later in life. I had no idea I was starving for Truth until I started seeking God. I devoured His Word and He was faithful to grow me in grace and continues to grow me day by day. Sometimes that growth was slow and even painful. Other times is was so fast. How are you stepping forward into growth step by step?

2 Thessalonians 2:13 The Holy Spirit Grows Us

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

I find so much encouragement in knowing that I am not alone in the growth process! The Holy Spirit is our guide and helper- illuminating the Scriptures so provide increased knowledge of God, His character and His promises. God knows we need His Spirit to help us grow in every way and delights to invite us into the process. How do you depend on God to grow personally and spiritually?

Philippians 1:6 God is Faithful in Your Growth

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

When we are determined to grow personally, spiritually, emotionally or physically it can seem like an overwhelming task. But we are not alone in the area of growth. God sovereignly orchestrates your circumstances, relationships and life to work in the areas He determines to grow you. He has also given us His Holy Spirit to guide and help us trust and obey. You can rest assured that if He calls us to do something (growth), He is going to give us everything we need to do that! Additionally, He is going to empower us in the process. He is so faithful!

1 Peter 2:2-3 Motivation for Growth

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

Once you’ve tasted that the Lord is good, you keep coming back for more! As we grow in our knowledge of God through His Word, our desires change. Moment by moment we will constantly and increasingly align with Truth rather than the desires of the flesh. As we discussed earlier- this means we are increasingly stepping into our purpose as children of God. How mindful are you to be purposeful in the area of growth?

Romans 12:2 How to Grow

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

This is one of my favorite Scriptures on growth. Romans 12:2 is saying that we need the Word of God to help us literally change our mind. Everything that emerges from our mind and heart guides our emotions and actions. The Truth of God’s Word is what we need to battle any lies that make their way into our heart and mind. Renewing the mind is the BEST way to align our lives with Truth. The Bible helps us transform and change into the likeness of Jesus. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we will grow in our love of God. And both of those combined lead to increased trust, obedience and wholehearted devotion.

Hebrews 4:12 Identifying Areas of Growth

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

There is nothing more powerful than the Word of God. When I am doing my Bible study, I sense the areas of much needed growth in my personal life. God speaks to us through His Word. His gentle voice draws us to Himself. He is our guide and helper as we seek to identify areas of much needed growth. As we continue to outline Bible verses on growth, know that you can depend on God to help you begin to work on the areas of personal growth and spiritual growth. Check out this article on guarding your heart and mind.

Psalm 139: 23-24 God Identifies Areas of Needed Growth

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24

In this Psalm, David is asking God to identify areas of his heart and mind that are in need of refining. He is humbly coming before God, who has more knowledge of our heart than we have of our own heart. Like David, we can ask for God’s help in identifying areas of needed growth. When have you prayerfully come before God and invited Him to search your heart? How have you seen Him show up full of His grace and mercy toward you?

Philippians 1:9-11 Growth is Measurable

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

Fruit of righteousness refers to external evidence of and internal work that Christ does inside of us. When we are growing form the inside out, we will think, feel and act differently. This is what growth is- spiritual and emotional maturity. As a result, this kind of growth will impact our relationships and our lives.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:9-10

Romans 5:3-5 Trials Lead to Growth

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Growth can be painful at times. In my own life, it has been the devastating circumstances that have led me to God. Consequently, those circumstances have yielded much fruit in my life. I am a living testament to how difficulties in life grow faith exponentially. We can take heart that any suffering we face can yield gifts of greater faith, greater knowledge of God and greater peace as we rest in the promises and character of our Heavenly Father. 

Philippians 3:14 Growth Never Stops

I press on toward the goal to win the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

Once again, Paul is speaking of a growth mindset. He is pointing to pressing onward- maturity in our Christian walk until the day of Christ arrives. At that time we will have full knowledge of the Lord. We will never “arrive” this side of heaven. Growth is intended to be constant practice on this side of heaven. One day we will have the full knowledge of God, but as long as we are on this earth, there is room for growth!

Best Ways to Grow

Being in God’s Word leads to spiritual maturity as we just covered in Bible verses about growth. Carve out quiet time with God. These practices will make your view of God align with Truth. When we focus on positive things such as His character, His promises and His guidance we will naturally live a fruitful spiritual life before God. Additionally, ask God to help you grow in grace- He is faithful to complete a good work in us. We are not alone in the growth he desires to cultivate in us to live out His purpose for us. It is never too soon to focus on growth and we are never done while we are living in this world. Do you have some Bible verses about growth? Leave them in the comments section and let’s grow together!

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