Luke 17:1–19: What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?

September 10, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible

CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

If you described someone as “mature in their faith” or “strong in their faith,” what qualities, attitudes, or actions would you notice that show spiritual maturity? Are there certain characteristics that define a strong believer? Think about that for a minute. 

As we study the Gospel of Luke, we see that the writer divides his “orderly account” of Jesus’ life into four parts. He begins with Jesus’ preparation for ministry and then follows him through the final three years of his earthly life. We call these the year of popularity, the year of opposition, and the year of rejection. 

Currently, we are in the year of opposition, when Jesus travels from Galilee to Jerusalem, knowing the cross awaits him. As he teaches along the way, five groups gather around him: the sick, who want to be healed; the curious, who want to know what this radical teacher was saying and doing; the disciples, a large group of followers devoted to his ministry; the apostles, the hand-picked group of twelve who will lead after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension; and the religious leaders, who were there to find fault with him. 

Not surprisingly, as Jesus travels to Jerusalem, he encounters many situations and addresses many topics. I believe the best way to consider today’s passage, Luke 17:1–19, is to highlight five characteristics of spiritual maturity that emerge in the conversations. Let’s consider this passage. 

Characteristics of Spiritual Maturity

BOLDNESS
Jesus said to his disciples:

Luke 17:1–3

Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him….

 Regardless of our age or stage in our spiritual life, temptations are inevitable. But Jesus says woe to the one who causes a young believer to sin: woe to anyone who hurts a spiritual infant. Then Jesus follows up with this charge: if you see a fellow believer in sin, you should address it. 

Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” I believe most Christians choose to ignore this passage. We talk about those in sin and pray for them, but seldom lovingly confront them. However, a mature believer loves others and the Christian community so much that they will confront others' sinful actions. 

FORGIVENESS
Jesus said, “and if [the person you confront] repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Forgiveness is easy to talk about but difficult to practice. It doesn’t keep count or score. If someone comes to us and asks for forgiveness, we are to forgive them, even if it means doing so repeatedly. 

FAITH
The disciples knew that what Jesus was asking them to do was very hard, almost impossible. So the apostles said they would need extra help with this one. Their request: “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). He then explained the power of even a little faith. 

Jesus said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). Jesus is, of course, speaking in hyperbole to make his point. A mustard seed is tiny, and a mulberry tree has deep, strong roots. But when we trust in Jesus, even a small first step of faith gives us the strength to do anything God calls us to do. 

HUMILITY
To show that strong faith goes hand in hand with true humility, Jesus told the story of a servant who came home after working in the fields and then prepared a meal for his master (Luke 17:7–10). The servant was not rewarded for making the meal, since this was his assigned duty and what was expected of him. In humility, he knew he was an “unworthy servant,” because he had “only done what was [his] duty” (Luke 17:10). 

This reminds me of touchdown celebrations by NFL players. They do what they are paid to do, yet sometimes celebrate as if they had done something extraordinary. My friend and NFL All-Pro Tunch Ilkin used to call out these celebrations with his comment: “Act like you’ve been there before!”

Christians are to live as “unworthy servants” of Jesus, serving with true humility. That humility also opens the way to gratitude, because every opportunity to serve is itself a gift from his hand. 

GRATITUDE
Reminding us again that Jesus is on his way to the cross, Luke writes, “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance.” They had heard about Jesus, and when they saw him, they began shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (Luke 17:11–13).

Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests, in keeping with Old Testament law. They all showed faith by obeying Jesus, and “as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Nine of the ten kept on their way, no doubt praising God, but one, a Samaritan, stopped and turned back, “praising God with a loud voice” He “fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (Luke 17:15–16). 

In response, Jesus said, “‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well’” (Luke 17:17–19). The nine were healed physically. This one Samaritan was healed physically and spiritually. Not only was his body healed, but his soul as well. 

So- what are the marks of a mature believer? I believe Jesus gives us five key identifiers: boldness, faith, forgiveness, humility, and gratitude. 

Are these things evident in your life? 

Read and reflect on Luke 17:1–19: Is there someone you need to lovingly confront about sin, or someone you need to forgive without keeping score?

Talking to God: Ask God to reveal which of the five characteristics you are missing in your spiritual walk and how you can grow into a stronger, more faithful follower.

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