When natural parents fail, and sometimes even when they don't, children slide into all kinds of evil. In the book of Judges, the evil included following the ways of the pagans around them and serving the Asherahs and Baals. Trust and surrender to Jesus produces spiritual children through the gift of repentance and miracle of new birth. Spiritual parenting in the New Covenant has the goal of moving spiritual children toward maturity. The guidance for spiritual mothers begins with Scripture.

 “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-8) 

 “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:3-5)

The spiritual report cards of those who see themselves as mothers in God's church will be filled out according to the above criteria. How are you doing?

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess that while I aspire to influence others toward maturity in Your kingdom, both my approach and my results have been mixed. Thank You for Your willingness to be with me and help me fulfill Your Great Commission. Help me be pure in my motives, in my words, and in my actions so that I can bear better fruit both in my own life and in the lives of those I influence. Help me to fear You more than I fear the disapproval of those I hope to influence toward godliness. Help me be willing to risk estrangement when needed to take a stand for what is right in the face of evil. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Becoming a spiritually mature person is a journey of love and faithfulness toward God. This journey includes repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ; a testimony of victory over habitual sins, temptations, and spiritual challenges; and knowing the character of God (1 John 2:12-14). A practical way to think about this journey is the list of character qualities given in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Where are you on this journey? “Growing up” spiritually will not only strengthen yourself. It will prepare you to help others find forgiveness and experience victory in Christ Jesus.