Here's how to become a better Christian

There is this profound quote that is attributed to Lou Holtz, a retired American football coach, author, and motivational speaker. It goes, "In this world, youre either growing or youre dying to get in motion and grow." This saying highlights the need for growth and in my opinion, why we should all aspire to

Here is what you need to do in order to achieve spiritual growth and maturity:

Pursue God above everything

To grow as a believer, you need to keep pursuing God above everything and everyone. Matthew 6:33 comes to mind. It encourages us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…"

It's important to add that really pursuing God above all is more than just avoiding sin. It's also about persistently going after righteousness and holiness (2 Tim. 2:22).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1–2).

Let's keep our minds not on happiness, money or success but on the only being that really matters - God. This includes letting your Heavenly Father, not your circumstances define your life.

"And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history - money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery - the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." - C.S. Lewis,Mere Christianity.

Don't just hear, obey the Holy Spirit

Its one thing to hear and a totally different thing to actually obey the urgings of Holy Spirit. In order to become a better believer, it is important to listen and RELY on Him. This is because having a "mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace" as "the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God" simply "cannot please God" (Romans 8).

"It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind." – C.S. Lewis,Mere Christianity.

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Read, study, memorize, believe and obey the Bible

Its simply impossible to grow without a daily, regular intake of the Bible (Matt. 4:4). This is why we need to not just read but also study the Word and really let it do its work in us by memorizing it (Romans 12:1–3).

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

Pray without ceasing

The Bible and prayer are two things that really build intimacy between a believer and Abba. By communicating with Him, you gain access to your Heavenly Father and him you. So, pray about any and everything, the big things, the small ones, what to wear, eat, just make sure you do not stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Understand that falling is not necessarily a bad thing

One of the worst things that believers do is make out Christianity to be a game of perfection. As a result, people feel really bad when they fall and become slaves to shame and guilt which often leads to a stunt in their faith journey.

Jackie Hill Perry, author of the new book, "Gay Girl, Good God," puts it perfectly when she says, "We have made Christianity mean you won't experience those same temptations instead of saying, 'Come to Jesus. You might struggle, you might suffer, you might deal with some things, but you do have a Great High Priest who will be there to help you.'"

She adds, "I think we've promised people things that the Scriptures haven't."

The reality is that as long as we are in this human form, we will always have things we struggle with but we can take confidence in the fact that we don't have to do it alone just like Perry said. So, don't focus so much on perfection, care more about your progress, how much stronger you are becoming as you grow in your knowledge of God.

"Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man." – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Be a committed churchgoer

Don't just be a regular churchgoer, be a committed one instead. Commitment is one of the things that made the Christians in Acts really special. They spent time together, taking care of one another and growing together in their knowledge of God (Acts 2:42 and Heb. 3:12–14).

Be humble

The greatest Christian isn't necessarily the best preacher, the one who has read the bible a zillion times or gives the most tithe. Nope, the best believer is the humble one. Why? Because they truly understand that it is not about self, but really about God. We did nothing to earn His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness so what do we have to proud about? (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This is why Jesus Christ IS the greatest because He always made it about His Father ( Philippians 2:5–8, John 5: 19, and Luke 14:7–35). So, let's learn from Him (John 13:15.).

"True humility isn't thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." –C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.