Why Don’t Some Christians Grow Spiritually?

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Spiritual growth is not optional in the Christian life—it is expected, necessary, and commanded. Yet, in every generation, many who profess faith in Christ remain stagnant, immature, or even regress spiritually. This troubling reality is neither new nor mysterious. The Scriptures speak plainly about the reasons why some Christians do not grow. It is not due to a lack of opportunity, nor is it the result of divine failure. Rather, spiritual stagnation stems from personal neglect, disobedience, worldly influence, and failure to abide in the Word of God. Growth does not happen automatically. Just as physical growth requires nourishment, exercise, and time, so too spiritual maturity depends on diligent engagement with God’s Word, active obedience, and separation from sin. When these conditions are not met, growth is stunted. This article will examine in detail the biblical reasons some Christians fail to grow, revealing both the root causes and the remedies as found in Scripture.

Lack of Desire for God’s Word

One of the most fundamental reasons Christians do not grow is a lack of hunger for the Word of God. Spiritual growth is directly tied to regular, meaningful intake of Scripture. In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle urges, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” This verse makes two truths unmistakably clear: (1) the Word is the essential nourishment for growth, and (2) a strong desire for it is necessary.

Yet many believers neglect personal Bible study, rarely read the Scriptures, and rely entirely on occasional sermons or devotionals. This creates a spiritual malnutrition. Just as a body deprived of food becomes weak and vulnerable, so the soul deprived of the Word becomes apathetic and unable to resist sin. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” Where this hunger is absent, growth will not occur.

This lack of appetite often stems from sin. When sin is present and unrepented, the heart becomes dull to spiritual things. It is a tragic cycle—sin dulls the desire for the Word, and the lack of the Word makes one more susceptible to sin. Only by turning from sin and returning to Scripture can this cycle be broken. Psalm 119:11 provides the antidote: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Refusal to Obey the Truth

Another key reason for spiritual stagnation is the failure to apply what is learned. James 1:22 warns, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Many Christians listen, read, and even study Scripture, but stop short of applying it. True growth comes only through obedience. Jesus taught this principle clearly in John 14:23: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.”

Knowledge without obedience leads to pride, not maturity (1 Corinthians 8:1). The Pharisees knew the Law but did not submit to it. Jesus rebuked them not for their study, but for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:3, He told the crowds, “So do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

God grants understanding to those who obey. As Jesus said in John 7:17, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.” Spiritual insight follows willing submission. Without obedience, even the clearest truth becomes ineffective. Hebrews 5:14 says that those who are mature have “their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” It is only through the practice of righteousness that the believer grows in discernment and maturity.

Worldly Distractions and Carnal Living

The influence of the world also hinders spiritual growth. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus described seed that fell among thorns—“this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). Even after conversion, worldly concerns can entangle the believer, suffocating spiritual desires and redirecting focus to temporal matters.

1 John 2:15–17 warns against loving the world, declaring that “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” The world promotes pride, pleasure, and possessions—none of which lead to godliness. When Christians give their time and affection to these things, spiritual stagnation is inevitable.

Carnal living—the pursuit of fleshly desires—likewise hinders growth. Paul addressed this directly in 1 Corinthians 3:1–3, where he rebuked believers for being “of the flesh” and “infants in Christ.” Though they should have progressed in spiritual understanding, they were still dominated by jealousy, strife, and division. Carnality does not always mean open sin; it can also refer to an attitude that prioritizes personal comfort and human reasoning over God’s commands.

Romans 8:6 contrasts two mindsets: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Spiritual growth demands a mindset focused on eternal truth, not earthly gain. The believer must “seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1), keeping heavenly priorities at the center of life.

Failure to Endure Trials Faithfully

Spiritual growth is often forged in adversity. James 1:2–4 teaches that trials, rightly received, produce endurance, which leads to maturity: “Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Yet some Christians react to trials with bitterness, withdrawal, or blame. Instead of drawing nearer to God, they turn away.

When difficulties come, the spiritually immature may question God’s goodness or abandon their devotion. This reaction prevents growth. Hebrews 12:11 reminds us, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Without submission to God’s refining work through trials, believers remain spiritually immature.

Even Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). If the sinless Son of God grew through endurance, how much more must His followers?

Influence of False Teaching

False doctrine is another powerful cause of spiritual stagnation and decay. Paul warned Timothy that “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching… but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3). Instead of growing in truth, many are led into error, which stunts or reverses growth.

When Christians embrace teachings that minimize sin, misrepresent grace, or distort the gospel, they are robbed of the nourishment necessary for maturity. Paul warned the Galatians that their flirtation with legalism had caused them to “fall from grace” (Galatians 5:4) and hindered their progress (Galatians 5:7).

True growth requires sound doctrine. Only accurate, contextual interpretation of Scripture equips believers for maturity. As Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). False teachings, however popular, cannot sanctify or strengthen—they destroy.

Neglect of the Local Church and Christian Fellowship

Spiritual growth is also hindered when believers isolate themselves from the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.” The local church is God’s ordained setting for mutual edification, accountability, and instruction.

When Christians neglect assembly, they deprive themselves of corporate worship, sound teaching, and godly correction. Proverbs 18:1 warns, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Christianity is not a solitary pursuit. Spiritual growth thrives in community, where believers teach, encourage, and challenge one another.

Those who forsake fellowship often fall into spiritual laziness and doctrinal confusion. They may claim personal faith, but without the sharpening influence of fellow believers, they become spiritually stagnant.

Conclusion: Spiritual Growth Is a Choice

In every case, spiritual stagnation is preventable. God has provided everything necessary for growth—His inspired Word, the example of Christ, the indwelling influence of the Spirit through Scripture, the support of the church, and the promise of reward. The failure to grow is never due to lack of provision, but to a lack of response.

Growth is not automatic. It requires desire, discipline, humility, obedience, and perseverance. It demands rejecting worldly influence, submitting to trials, embracing sound doctrine, and walking in continual repentance. Only those who commit to this path will grow into mature, fruitful servants of God.

As 2 Peter 3:18 exhorts, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is not a suggestion—it is a command. And it is the only path to spiritual health, effectiveness, and eternal reward.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).