--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some people gauge their spiritual…" description: "\"“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember, gifts are given, not earned. A donkey spok..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg" --- # Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their… ![“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember, gifts are given, not earned. A donkey spoke and saw into the realm of the spirit. A rooster crowed three times and convicted Peter. Does that make these beasts spiritual? Jesus said that…” quote by John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg) > ““Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember, gifts are given, not earned. A donkey spoke and saw into the realm of the spirit. A rooster crowed three times and convicted Peter. Does that make these beasts spiritual? Jesus said that many would call Him Lord and expect entrance into His kingdom, only to be denied. They will have done miracles, cast out devils and prophesied in His name. But He will answer, "Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matt. 7:23). The”” [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. True spiritual maturity is measured by humility and obedience, not by miraculous displays or claimed gifts; external signs do not guarantee genuine relationship with Christ. **In simple terms:** Spiritual depth comes from humility, not miracles. Key Takeaway Seek humility over showmanship. Themes humility authenticity faith spirituality Mood reflective cautionary Type scriptural ethical When to use this quote - church leadership - personal devotion - teaching - spiritual counseling Key Concepts theology self‑deception false prophets Questions to Reflect On - Do you value inner transformation more than outward signs? - How can you discern true spiritual maturity? A Different Perspective External gifts can be misused to mask inner lawlessness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beasts Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beasts-spiritual-4823374/) [Gauge Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gauge-spiritual-2978836/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Prophesied Answer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophesied-answer-4823375/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-jesus-815684/) [Spiritual maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-maturity/) [Three times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-times/) ## Related quotes > [The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/the-degree-of-freedom-from-unwanted-thoughts-and-the-degree-of/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [To be free from the possibility of discouragements would be more ‘spiritual’ than Jesus-and therefore not truly spiritual at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/to-be-free-from-the-possibility-of-discouragements-would-be-more/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [“Miller concludes: “To a culture that believes they ‘go to heaven’ based on whether or not they are morally pure, or that they understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-medearis/miller-concludes-to-a-culture-that-believes-they-go-to-heaven-based/) [Carl Medearis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-medearis/) > [I think our problem is a spiritual one.where there is no Jesus Christ.Evil always reigns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-our-problem-is-a-spiritual-one-where-there-is-no-jesus-christ/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/physical-maturity-is-bound-to-time-spiritual-maturity-is-bound-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/) > [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/) > [Spiritual maturity with only conformity, love, unity & spirit-led without accountability, morality, transparency & integrity is just pure spirit blindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chuang/spiritual-maturity-with-only-conformity-love-unity-spirit-led-without/) [Michael Chuang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chuang/) > [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/) > [“Everything we do and say will either underline or undermine our discipleship process. As long as there is one unsaved person on my campus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-murrell/everything-we-do-and-say-will-either-underline-or-undermine-our/) [Steve Murrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-murrell/) > [“gnostics celebrated as proof of spiritual maturity, the orthodox denounced as “deviation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/gnostics-celebrated-as-proof-of-spiritual-maturity-the-orthodox/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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/) ## 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 Miracles quotes > [“As I do not seem able much to heal, then maybe I can simply be a responsible witness to the miracle of the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-barry/as-i-do-not-seem-able-much-to-heal-then-maybe-i-can-simply-be-a/) [Sebastian Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-barry/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [This, at last, was where things were as they ought to be. Everything was in its place -- the tree, the earth underneath, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-liedloff/this-at-last-was-where-things-were-as-they-ought-to-be-everything-was/) [Jean Liedloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-liedloff/) > [“Symbols are miracles we have recorded into language.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-kelley-harrell/symbols-are-miracles-we-have-recorded-into-language/) [S. Kelley Harrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-kelley-harrell/) > [“Monsters are divine portents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davidson/monsters-are-divine-portents/) [Andrew Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davidson/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [It was a world that I wanted to record because it was such a miracle visitation to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-lee/it-was-a-world-that-i-wanted-to-record-because-it-was-such-a-miracle/) [Laurie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-lee/) > [We artists give daily thanks for the miracle of our planet and for the inclination and the capability to honour it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/we-artists-give-daily-thanks-for-the-miracle-of-our-planet-and-for/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [When a person partners with God in delivering a miracle to another person, they have done what they were supposed to do; God can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/when-a-person-partners-with-god-in-delivering-a-miracle-to-another/) [Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/) > [“If you find a way where there seems to be no way, that’s what we call miracle, not personal achievement.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/if-you-find-a-way-where-there-seems-to-be-no-way-that-s-what-we-call/) [Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/) > [“he never finished any of the works he began because, so sublime was his idea of art, he saw faults even in the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/he-never-finished-any-of-the-works-he-began-because-so-sublime-was/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [“miracles are the fruit of faith, not force. When”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/miracles-are-the-fruit-of-faith-not-force-when/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [“If we believe miracles cannot happen today but happened to our distant ancestors, what we really seem to be saying is not that miracles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-metaxas/if-we-believe-miracles-cannot-happen-today-but-happened-to-our/) [Eric Metaxas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-metaxas/) > [“Although it may appear as though there have been many miracles in the world, a true miracle has never come to pass. A true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woo-myung/although-it-may-appear-as-though-there-have-been-many-miracles-in-the/) [Woo Myung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woo-myung/) > [Miracles happen because if I'm sitting here as a Hall of Famer, you can do anything in the world you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-taylor/miracles-happen-because-if-i-m-sitting-here-as-a-hall-of-famer-you/) [Jason Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-taylor/) [Browse all 3,567 Miracles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember, gifts are given, not earned. A donkey spoke and saw into the realm of the spirit. A rooster crowed three times and convicted Peter. Does that make these beasts spiritual? Jesus said that many would call Him Lord and expect entrance into His kingdom, only to be denied. They will have done miracles, cast out devils and prophesied in His name. But He will answer, \"Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!\" (Matt. 7:23). The”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Bevere" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturity-by-their-ability-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Miracles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturity-by-their-ability-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/john-bevere-6845_miracles_some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturi_588830.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity by their ability to prophesy or flow in the gifts. Yet remember…” — 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": "“Some people gauge their spiritual maturity...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturity-by-their-ability-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/some-people-gauge-their-spiritual-maturity-by-their-ability-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 } } ] } ```