Peter Pandemonium (not an official diagnosis) is the term some psychologists use to describe adults who refuse to act like grownups. Like the fabled Peter Pan, they choose to remain children forever, at least in how they engage with the outer world. Also known as Peter Pan Syndrome, the term describes those who avoid responsibility, blame others for their problems and behavior, throw temper tantrums when disappointed and can’t commit in relationships. Someone quipped that these folks can be easily recognized because they buy SpongeBob SquarePants underwear to wear as adults. (Yep, stores actually sell those!)

Sadly, some Christians are infected with a spiritual version of Peter Pan Syndrome. Though they proudly assert that they have been followers of Christ for years, their behavior demonstrates little or no growth.

Maturity does not automatically come from time. While exposure and experience can aid spiritual growth, are there any old saints in your church who are actually the church’s biggest stinkers? They prove that one can get older without growing holier.

Maturity can’t be measured by Bible knowledge. Bible study is an important component of growing in Christ, but people have different levels of intelligence. Some absorb quickly while others struggle with every concept. Also, some have limited opportunities for study, lacking the resources and teachers that lead to increased knowledge.

Giftedness and talent are also false standards. In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), one servant was given 5 talents (a weight of money) to use while another servant received only 1. While greater giftedness may bring greater opportunity, that doesn’t equate to greater maturity. Some very talented people, people who actually serve both church and community well, do so to win praise and gain influence for themselves. That’s not maturity.

So what does spiritual maturity look like? In Colossians, the Apostle Paul points out 3 marks of spiritual maturity.

First, mature believers remain faithful to God through the trials of life. In Colossians 2:22-23 (NIV), Paul says that God, “…has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel…” Like some twenty-somethings who drift from job to job, spiritually immature people drift in and out of their faith and wander from church to church; their prayer lives and commitment level reflect the trials or blessings in their lives at that moment. But like a valued employee of 30 years, loyalty indicates maturity.

Mature believers may be identified by their determination to overcome sin. In Colossians 3:5, Paul instructs the believers to “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” and then goes on in verses 8-9, “…But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Those who are close to Jesus want to live like Jesus lived; they refuse to allow cultural norms and practices to shape their behavior. First Impressions told about a couple that returned from an early summer cruise to Alaska, impressed by the size of the flowers they’d seen, including dandelions that were 6 inches across. When the couple asked a native Alaskan what fertilizer was used, the answer was, “None. That’s the result of 20 hours of daily sunlight.” In the same way, those with the most exposure to the light of the Son closely follow His example.

Christian maturity is also evidenced by the importance one places on unity. Mature people protect the unity of the Body of Christ, choosing to love even the most difficult of their Christian brothers and sisters. In Colossians 3:13-15, Paul encourages believers to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Someone remarked that “A lot of growing up takes place between “It fell” and “I dropped it.” Take responsibility for your spiritual maturity. It’s time to grow up.