--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Physical maturity is bound to time…" description: "\"Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.\" — John Bevere" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png" --- # Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is… ![“Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.” quote by John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png) > “Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.” [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical growth follows time, but spiritual growth requires obedience to divine principles **In simple terms:** Spiritual maturity needs obedience, not just age Key Takeaway Cultivate obedience for deeper spiritual development Themes spirituality growth obedience Mood reflective serious Type religious motivational When to use this quote - church leadership - personal discipleship - mentorship Key Concepts Moral development faith practice Questions to Reflect On - How to reconcile obedience with individuality? - What practices foster spiritual obedience? A Different Perspective Obedience may conflict with personal desires ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Bound Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bound-obedience-4451478/) [Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/) [Maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maturity/) [Maturity Bound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maturity-bound-4451477/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Physical Maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-maturity-1010279/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-maturity/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Age-class running, as you know, is completely unreliable. It's based on this artificial thing, which is that people who are the same age have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/age-class-running-as-you-know-is-completely-unreliable-it-s-based-on/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [Adolescence is society's permission slip for combining physical maturity with psychological irresponsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/adolescence-is-society-s-permission-slip-for-combining-physical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We must realize that growth is but an adolescent phase of life which stops when physical maturity is reached. If growth continues in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-must-realize-that-growth-is-but-an-adolescent-phase-of-life-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Bible is the divine means of developing spiritual maturity. There is no other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-g-hendricks/the-bible-is-the-divine-means-of-developing-spiritual-maturity-there/) [Howard G. Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-g-hendricks/) > [Spiritual maturity does not mean that we will never make wrong plans. In fact, spiritual maturity often means having the courage to admit we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/spiritual-maturity-does-not-mean-that-we-will-never-make-wrong-plans/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [“The way I read it, spiritual maturity is gauged by application not contemplation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/the-way-i-read-it-spiritual-maturity-is-gauged-by-application-not/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [“We have tried everything to get rid of suffering. We have gone everywhere to get rid of suffering. We have bought everything to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/we-have-tried-everything-to-get-rid-of-suffering-we-have-gone/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [“Individuation is an attainment of spiritual maturity frighteningly seldom attained in today's mono-cultures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/individuation-is-an-attainment-of-spiritual-maturity-frighteningly/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Life becomes peaceful with forgiveness and forgiveness comes easy with emotional and spiritual maturity. Life can be redefined with forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikas-runwal/life-becomes-peaceful-with-forgiveness-and-forgiveness-comes-easy/) [Vikas Runwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikas-runwal/) > [To me, growing into spiritual maturity is becoming less self-conscious and more God-conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/to-me-growing-into-spiritual-maturity-is-becoming-less-self-conscious/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [The thoughtful believer recalls God's faithfulness in the past when confronted by any new threat. Part of spiritual maturity is strong sense of one's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-anders/the-thoughtful-believer-recalls-god-s-faithfulness-in-the-past-when/) [Max Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-anders/) > [Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God. Some people mature into an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/spiritual-maturity-is-not-reached-by-the-passing-of-the-years-but-by/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember, gifts are given, not earned. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturity-by-their-ability-to/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Your spiritual maturity depends on your willingness to face, forgive, and forget past offense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/your-spiritual-maturity-depends-on-your-willingness-to-face-forgive/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [“Decision making is stressful, so the best time to prepare for good choosing is when there’s no choice at stake. That’s when you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burnett/decision-making-is-stressful-so-the-best-time-to-prepare-for-good/) [Bill Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burnett/) ## More by John Bevere > [The enemy of intimidation attacks our soul. It is not defeated through psychology or positive thinking. Our weapon against intimidation is the sword of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-enemy-of-intimidation-attacks-our-soul-it-is-not-defeated-through/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Today the meaning of the word believe has been weakened. In the eyes of most it has become a mere acknowledgment of a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/today-the-meaning-of-the-word-believe-has-been-weakened-in-the-eyes/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Simply put, the promises of God are not automatic; they must be acquired by faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/simply-put-the-promises-of-god-are-not-automatic-they-must-be/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [A lack of compassion for others arises from an unwillingness to forgive their weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/a-lack-of-compassion-for-others-arises-from-an-unwillingness-to/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [True humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/true-humility-is-absolute-obedience-and-dependence-on-god-it-puts-him/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [“I will use this period of spiritual training in my life to focus on the greatness of my God instead of the impossibility of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/i-will-use-this-period-of-spiritual-training-in-my-life-to-focus-on/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Jesus never gave advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/jesus-never-gave-advice/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [If we don’t risk being hurt, we cannot give unconditional love. Unconditional love gives others the right to hurt us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-we-don-t-risk-being-hurt-we-cannot-give-unconditional-love/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections, and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-filter-everything-through-past-hurts-rejections-and/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Love forgets wrongs so that there is hope for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/love-forgets-wrongs-so-that-there-is-hope-for-the-future/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [ “Do we honor them for the extras? No, a thousand times no. We \[honor them\] because God gave us the charge to honor all.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/do-we-honor-them-for-the-extras-no-a-thousand-times-no-we-honor-them/) [John bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [If you are still hurting from a past offense, it is because you choose to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-you-are-still-hurting-from-a-past-offense-it-is-because-you-choose/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [The focus of offended Christians is inward and introspective. We guard our rights and personal relationships carefully. Our energy is consumed with making sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-focus-of-offended-christians-is-inward-and-introspective-we-guard/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [It is easy to be loyal to a leader or father who loves you, but what about one who is out to destroy you?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/it-is-easy-to-be-loyal-to-a-leader-or-father-who-loves-you-but-what/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [“The reality is, when someone knows the truth, knows the will of God, knows what God has spoken , and yet pushes back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-reality-is-when-someone-knows-the-truth-knows-the-will-of-god/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) [Explore all 97 John Bevere quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) ## More Aging quotes > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We'll never be as young as we are tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-ll-never-be-as-young-as-we-are-tonight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess: Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayer-of-an-anonymous-abbess-lord-thou-knowest-better-than-myself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You could see the signs of female aging as diseased, especially if you had a vested interest in making women too see them your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/you-could-see-the-signs-of-female-aging-as-diseased-especially-if-you/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“It takes maturity to be able to laugh like a child again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/it-takes-maturity-to-be-able-to-laugh-like-a-child-again/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Anything is possible in the life of a man if he lives long enough. Even maturity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/anything-is-possible-in-the-life-of-a-man-if-he-lives-long-enough/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [I just want to be Patty McCormack. I want to spend every year aging the way she has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/i-just-want-to-be-patty-mccormack-i-want-to-spend-every-year-aging/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) [Browse all 2,792 Aging quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Bevere" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiritual-maturity-is-bound-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiritual-maturity-is-bound-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2c/john-bevere-6845_aging_physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiri_2951609.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.” — John Bevere", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Bevere", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Physical maturity is bound to time....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiritual-maturity-is-bound-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiritual-maturity-is-bound-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```