In this episode Ken addresses the difference between emotional and spiritual maturity and whether one of them is more important than the other. Some would say that if spiritual maturity is in place, emotional maturity will naturally follow, but Ken contends this is not the case - that in fact if we are not growing in our emotional maturity, we cannot become spiritually mature.

Many of us were taught to measure spiritual maturity by what we know—Scripture, doctrine, and right belief—while giving less attention to how we actually live (except in matters of morality). But Ken points us to several passages in scripture he believes provide helpful summaries for what it means to be spiritually mature. In Micah 6:8 God calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (words Jesus echoes in Mt. 23:23 when he challenges the religious leaders for the legalism they practice while neglecting what matters most). These are not ideas to understand; they are actions to practice: spiritual maturity is formed in the way we live.

Ken then takes us to Ephesians 4:11-15 where he says Paul describes spiritual maturity as being filled with the knowledge of Jesus, mature in the teachings of Jesus, and fully formed in the likeness of Jesus. We are "fully formed" when we are living a life that looks like Jesus. Spiritual maturity requires both knowledge of Jesus and aligning our lives with what he taught.

Finally, Ken addresses the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7), which he says captures the very heartbeat of Christ's message - and the Beatitudes in particular (5:3-12), which paint a picture of what a mature, Christlike life looks like. He spends a little time unpacking what it means to live the way of the Beatitudes and how essential emotional maturity is to embodying these teachings, and those in the other passages above, in daily life - because the inner work shapes the outward life.

Ken concludes that both spiritual maturity and emotional maturity are vitally important, but that without emotional maturity you cannot grow into spiritual maturity. This gets to the heart of what Faithwalking is all about - helping people grow in emotional maturity so that they can become more and more like Jesus.

This episode was recorded on February 13th, 2026.