A Never-Ending Journey of Spiritual Growth

I have heard of IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient or Intelligence) as benchmarks that analyze our mind and emotions. But I did not know about SQ (Spiritual Quotient or Intelligence) until I heard it recently in a sermon.

Naturally, I was curious to find out what Spiritual Intelligence was, and if I had it.

A quick search on the internet and I found 3 definitions of Spiritual Intelligence from a Biblical perspective:

1. Spiritual intelligence is revelation through God’s Spirit, which expresses spiritual truths in spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:13) Lisa M. Beardsey 

2. Spiritual intelligence is a person's ability to assimilate faith into everyday life. Alan E. Nelson 

3. Spiritual intelligence is tapping into God’s Spirit who is eternal, infinite, and has all knowledge, wisdom, and knows the future. Furthermore, the Spirit has infallible experience with mankind, and knows the heart of every person on the planet. The Holy Spirit is the genius of geniuses, the scientist of scientists, the doctor of doctors, the engineers of engineers – you get the idea. He is beyond brilliant! What is exciting is that born-again believers have the mind of Christ and therefore have full access to spiritual intelligence. Kris Vallotton

I want this! All of this!

I want to understand spiritual truths. 

I want to know how to assimilate my faith into my everyday life. 

I want to tap into the knowledge and wisdom of God who knows me intimately and has my best in mind. 

What you need, God gives you. What you want, you need to go after.

Kurt Parker 

Going After Spiritual Intelligence

I want to be spiritually intelligent, so how do I go after it?

As I have meditated on that question, I realized that I am already sprinting after Spiritual Intelligence, and I am seeing the fruit of it in my life. 

The exponential growth of rich revelation, spiritual insight, sincere love, abundant fruit, and righteous character exploded in my life in both depth and width, when I made a commitment to consistently spend time in God’s Word. (Philippians 1:9-11) 

This is a proven way to experience drastic improvement in Spiritual Intelligence. 

LifeWay Research studied the spiritual growth of 4,000 people. They identified eight attributes of discipleship that consistently showed up in the life of growing Christians. Bible engagement was number one on the list.

The Center for Bible Engagement reports that someone who engages the Bible four or more times a week is:

• 228% more likely to share their faith with others
• 407% more likely to memorize Scripture
• 59% less likely to view pornography
• 30 % less likely to struggle with loneliness

More Likely 

I will add that the Word of God states these statistics:

1. When you are deeply rooted in God’s Word you are 100 % more likely to be flourishing, blessed, prosperous, and bearing fruit in every season. 

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2-3 NLT

2. Those who make every effort to grow in knowledge will be 100% more likely to life a life pleasing to God.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. . . he has given us great and precious promises. . . make every effort to respond to God’s promises. . . supplement your faith with knowledge. . .  2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

3. When you train your heart to listen to God’s Word and voice, and open your spirit to discernment, you will be 100% more likely to have wisdom as your bodyguard, protecting you as you choose what is right and make good decisions.

Train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment - then pass it on to your sons and daughters. For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly ones.

He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right. Then you will discover all that is just, proper, and fair, and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny. Proverbs 2: 2, 8-9 TPT

Commit to Bible Engagement

Reading the Bible is so much more than reading along with the Sunday morning sermon! You need to engage!

Engage = to occupy and involve your interest and attention. 

I want to challenge you to a daily Reading Plan. Commit a time and space where you pick up your Bible, read, meditate, and then listen to the Holy Spirit teach you.

As you meditate and listen, use these three words to help you press into both understanding and applying the Word of God.

1. ASK: Ask God to help you understand what you have read today.
2. SEEK: Take time to meditate and seek wisdom like a hidden treasure.
3. KNOCK: Ask God questions, and listen to the Holy Spirit teach you.
   1. What can I do?
   2. How can I follow this Word with obedience?
   3. How do I apply this to my life today? 

Rooted – Live

I want to invite you to a community of women growing strong roots in God's Word. 

The Rooted- Live Bible Reading plans are simple, meditative Reading Plans to help you daily center your life around God's Word. 

The Rooted-Live community gives you a layer of accountability and lots of encouragement to experience Bible reading not as something you have to do, but a welcome addition to spend time in God's presence. 

YOU AND YOUR BIBLE + LISTENING AND LEARNING