I’m listening to a webcast by Rick Warren about 40 Days in the Word, his church-wide campaign for spring 2012.
In his introductory remarks, Warren talked about eight laws of spiritual growth. Here they are:
- Spiritual growth is intentional: We grow by making commitments.
- …incremental: We grow step by step.
- …personal: We grow at different rates than others.
- …habitual: We grow by developing good habits.
- …relational: Spiritual growth happens in community.
- …multidimensional: Spiritual growth involves the five purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism) and the various learning styles (hearing, speaking, doing).
- …seasonal: We grow in stages.
- …incarnational: We grow by becoming more like Jesus.
What do you think?
GeorgePWood.com 
What about “Spiritual Growth is powered by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit”? Those laws sound a lot like behavioral modification under the power of self.
I think these “laws” apply to the human side of the process of spiritual growth.
I’m always wary of “Laws” as if these are somehow divinely inspired. But beyond that, what strikes me about this list is the reliance on self. Isn’t this more of the same “How To” pragmatism we’ve grown accustomed to hearing from Rick Warren over the years? How come there is no mention of the Holy Spirit? Doesn’t true spiritual growth take place only when we begin to yield ourselves to His will?