The word 'increase' here can mean 'advance, grow, or proceed'. Just as the kingdom of God (kingdom of heaven) is always increasing and expanding (instead of diminishing), Jesus also continued to increase while He was on earth!
In cross reference, Proverbs 4:18 says, 'The path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shines (increasingly) more and more till the full light'. Praise God! And because you are the righteousness of God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), you too are meant to be increasing as well, whether in wisdom and stature, or in favor with God and men!
In cross reference, Proverbs 4:18 says, 'The path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shines (increasingly) more and more till the full light'. Praise God! And because you are the righteousness of God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), you too are meant to be increasing as well, whether in wisdom and stature, or in favor with God and men!
Note: The word ‘stature’ here is ‘helikia’ in Greek, which can mean 'maturity
(not just physically, but also spiritually, mentally, or emotionally)'.
From the Bible, there are 2 keys to increasing in wisdom, stature and favor:
1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26).
2. Taking
His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15, learning from King Saul's mistakes).
1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26)
The word 'Spirit' here is in capital 'S', i.e. 'walking in His Spirit'. To 'walk in the Spirit' is to have the consciousness of heaven over you, upon you, on you, and in you. In other words, 'walking in the Spirit' is 'walking in the heavenly realm'. When you are 'walking in the Spirit', you are walking in heaven while you are still on earth!
As you 'walk in the Spirit', you are walking in His heavenly wisdom and favor. Not just that, you are also walking in His power and protection (where no evil can touch you). That's why the apostle Paul wrote, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm)." The Spirit and the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm) are antagonistic against one another (Galatians 5:17). By walking in the Spirit, you are indeed connected to and having access to the heavenly realm and heavenly resources (instead of the earthly realm and earthly resources). So, be filled with His Spirit, and pray in spirit often, moment by moment, day by day, knowing that when you pray in spirit, you are praying heaven(s) down!
As you 'walk in the Spirit', you are walking in His heavenly wisdom and favor. Not just that, you are also walking in His power and protection (where no evil can touch you). That's why the apostle Paul wrote, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm)." The Spirit and the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm) are antagonistic against one another (Galatians 5:17). By walking in the Spirit, you are indeed connected to and having access to the heavenly realm and heavenly resources (instead of the earthly realm and earthly resources). So, be filled with His Spirit, and pray in spirit often, moment by moment, day by day, knowing that when you pray in spirit, you are praying heaven(s) down!
2. Taking His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15)
Let's learn from King Saul’s mistakes here. He (King Saul) could have increased greatly in wisdom, stature and favor had he not tried to be a 'smart aleck'. Forgive me for saying this, but that's true. His idea sounded brilliant according to earthly logic and human reasoning (by sparing King Agag and some of the best sheep and oxen), when God actually said 'to utterly destroy all' (1 Samuel 15:1-3). In other words, Saul never took God’s instruction as it is (i.e. word for word). This eventually cost him even his kingship (see 1 Samuel 16:1).
In contrast, let's look at our Lord Jesus Christ now.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says, '... casting down arguments and every high thing (i.e. earthly thing) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'. Notice the words 'obedience of Christ' here? This speaks of His obedience to His Father's instruction and will. In The Garden of Gethsemane, He said to His Father, "... not My will, but Yours, be done" (see Luke 22:42).
Philippians 2:8-11 then says, 'And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name (i.e. stature) which is above every name (i.e. stature), that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father'. Notice the word 'obedient' again here?
People of God, as you walk in these 2 keys mentioned above, as Jesus was, so will you be in this world (1 John 4:17), increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. So be it! Amen!
