6) Growing in Grace
How to grow spiritually? How to deal with temptation? Discover that victory comes through the power of Christ — and that growth is a journey, not a race.
You have accepted grace. You understood that salvation is by faith. You are abiding in Christ. But what now? Does Christian life stay the same forever, or is there growth? And when temptation knocks on the door — what to do?
In this lesson, we will talk about how to grow in grace, how to understand temptation, and how to experience the victory that Christ offers. Spoiler: none of these things depend on our strength.
Growth: A Continuous Journey
The new birth is instantaneous. Growth is a process. And the Bible is clear: no Christian should stop growing.
What does Peter orient us to do as Christians?
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Answer: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ
2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
Peter doesn’t say “grow in effort” or “grow in perfection.” He says: “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus.” Christian growth is not accumulating merit — it is deepening the relationship. The more we know Jesus, the more we grow.
Who guarantees that the work started in us will be completed?
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Answer: God — he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Here is an extraordinary promise: He who started the work is God, and He who will complete it is also God. Spiritual growth doesn’t depend on our ability to perfect ourselves. It depends on the faithfulness of Him who started the work.
How does Hebrews describe spiritual maturity?
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Answer: Having senses exercised to discern both good and evil
Hebrews 5:12-14: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Maturity is not the absence of temptation or absolute perfection. It is having “senses exercised” — discernment that comes from experience with God over time. It’s like the difference between milk and solid food: the spiritual baby depends on simple things, the mature deals with complexity.
“Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not attained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin and living for Christ.” — Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 560, par. 3.
Temptation: It’s Not Sin
Many Christians live tormented by guilt when they are tempted. But there is a huge difference between being tempted and sinning.
Is being tempted sin?
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Answer: No — Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin
Hebrews 4:15: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” If being tempted were sin, Jesus would have sinned. Being tempted is not the same as sinning; the danger begins when we welcome and feed temptation. And even in this, we are not alone.
According to James, how does temptation develop in us?
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Answer: From our own lust — we are drawn away of our own lust, and enticed
James 1:13-14: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
James is direct: God tempts no one. Temptation arises from our own desires. But Jesus guides: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (). Vigilance and prayer are our posture — and God provides the power.
What does God promise in the midst of temptation?
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Answer: That He will not allow temptation above what we are able to bear and will provide a way of escape
1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
What a powerful promise: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” And with the temptation, He provides “a way to escape.” We are not at the mercy of circumstances. There is always a way out — and God is the one who provides it.
Victory: Through the Power of Christ
If growth is a process and temptation is inevitable, what is Christian victory like? Is it possible to win?
In whom did Paul find strength to face all things?
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Answer: In Christ, who strengthened him
Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Not in me. In Christ. Christian victory is not the result of personal determination. It is the result of connection with Him who has already overcome. And reminds us: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
How does Paul describe Christians in the face of difficulties and temptations?
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Answer: More than conquerors — through him that loved us
Romans 8:37: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Not just winners — more than conquerors. And the reason is not our capacity, but the love of Christ. closes with the words of Jesus Himself: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The victory has already been won. It’s up to us to live in it.
“The Lord has shown me that His grace is sufficient for all our trials.” — Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 46, par. 1.
What Now?
Growing in grace is deepening the knowledge of Jesus, not accumulating merits. Temptation is not sin — it’s part of life, and God always provides a way out. Victory doesn’t come from our strength, but from the power of Christ in us.
Christian life is not a race to perfection. It is a journey with Jesus — and He promised to complete the work He started.
My Decision
I desire to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I accept that temptation is part of life, but I trust that God will not allow temptation beyond what I can bear. My victory is not in me, but in Christ who strengthens me. I trust that He will complete the work He started in me.