In Ephesians 4:14-16 Paul expands on the truth from yesterday, we can trust God’s Word to grow and mature us so we can be fully and completely equipped to live for Him. But what do we do if new ideas come along that seem to contradict what we know about God? We are reminded in James to look out for doctrines that would sway us away from the truth of the gospel and lead us astray. James compares our vacillating on truth to the effect of the wind, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 Likewise, Paul concludes in Ephesians 4:14-16 that being grounded and rooted in God’s Word will keep us stable and lead us to lives that contribute to the body of believers.
“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
If we desire to move towards maturity in Christ, we need to be grounded in the truth of the gospel, knowledgeable about what scripture teaches for righteous living and willing to stand firm on God’s Word of truth. Paul says that this grounding in truth will lead to fuller, richer lives that 
will build up the body of believers and help the whole body of Christ (the church) be stronger. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can mature into Christians that support and love one another.
What are you doing to grow in maturity? Do you attend church regularly and mediate on what your pastor is preaching on? Are you in a Bible Study group at your church or elsewhere? Growing and maturing in Christ does not happen by chance but requires attention to the Word and study. Be growing in Christ and open to the Holy Spirit’s leading when He presents you with an opportunity for growth.
Linda
Here are two International Bible Study organizations that have classes throughout the world. Check them out and see if they are near you. Right now all classes are on-line due to the virus, but they are still going strong as our God is unstoppable.
Bible Study Fellowship– http://www.bsf.org
Community Bible Study– http://www.cbs.org
Fearless Living 