Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus—The Key to True Spiritual Growth

Have you ever wondered if you’re overanalyzing your spiritual walk? I know I have. It’s so easy to slip into a pattern of constantly evaluating ourselves: Am I growing? Am I producing the right fruit? Is Christ’s life shining through me? While it might seem wise to ask these questions, I’ve often found that excessive self-focus can leave me feeling discouraged and drained rather than joyful and refreshed in the Lord.

But here’s the question I’ve been wrestling with: Is self-analysis really the key to spiritual growth, or is there a better way?

The more I study Scripture, the clearer it becomes that spiritual maturity isn’t about striving or self-monitoring. Instead, it’s about being absorbed with the Person of Jesus Christ—fixing our eyes on Him, abiding in Him, and walking closely with Him in every moment. When we do, His life naturally flows through us, producing the very fruit we long to see.

Let’s explore this together, digging into the difference between self-analysis and Christ-centered living, and discovering what the Bible says about growing in grace.

The Problem with Excessive Introspection

Scripture does encourage self-examination. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 13:5:
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."

There is value in humbly asking God to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). It’s a way of remaining aligned with Him, confessing sin, and staying on the path He’s laid out for us. But self-examination has its limits. When it becomes our primary focus, it can turn into navel-gazing, where we become overly preoccupied with ourselves rather than captivated by Christ.

Here are a few dangers of excessive introspection:

1. It Distracts Us from Christ
   When we’re constantly evaluating our own growth, we risk shifting our focus from Jesus to ourselves. Instead of resting in His sufficiency, we start striving to “measure up.” Yet Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing”(John 15:5). The fruit we seek isn’t produced by effort but by abiding in Him.

2. It Leads to Discouragement or Pride
   If we don’t see the growth we expect, we can become discouraged and even doubt God’s work in us. On the other hand, if we focus on visible progress, we might fall into pride, thinking we’ve achieved something in our own strength. Neither mindset reflects the grace of God.

3. It Ignores the Spirit’s Role
   Spiritual growth is the Holy Spirit’s work, not ours. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
   “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
   Excessive introspection can subtly shift our dependence from the Spirit to self-effort.

The Better Way: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

So, what’s the alternative? The Bible consistently points us to a Christ-centered, grace-oriented approach:

Hebrews 12:2 calls us to:
"Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith."

This is the heart of spiritual growth. Instead of looking inward to ourselves, we look upward, focusing on who Christ is, what He has done, and what He is doing in us and through us. When our eyes are fixed on Him:

• Our minds are renewed by His truth (Romans 12:2).

• Our desires align with His heart (Psalm 37:4).

• Our actions reflect His love and character (John 15:12).

This isn’t about striving; it’s about abiding. Jesus said:
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Fruit is the natural result of abiding in Christ. When we stay close to Him through prayer, worship, and His Word, His life flows through us, producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

What About Self-Examination?

Does this mean we should never evaluate ourselves? Not at all. Self-examination has its place, but it’s not meant to be our primary focus. Instead, it serves as a checkpoint—a way to ensure we’re abiding in Christ and walking in His ways.

Here’s a balanced approach:

1. Let the Spirit Lead the Examination
   Ask God to search your heart and reveal anything that needs surrender or confession:
   “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

2. Respond with Grace, Not Guilt
   When the Spirit reveals something, don’t dwell in guilt or shame. Confess it to God and rest in His forgiveness:
   “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

3. Return to Christ-Centered Living
   Self-examination should always lead us back to Jesus, not into prolonged introspection. Fix your eyes on Him, trust His grace, and move forward in faith.

Encouragement for the Journey

Here’s the beautiful truth: God is far more invested in your growth than you are. He began the good work in you, and He will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Your job is not to force the process but to trust Him, abide in Him, and let His Spirit do the transforming work.

Remember: it’s not about what you can produce—it’s about what He produces in you and through you. Paul captures this so well in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Conclusion: Resting in Him

If you’ve been caught up in self-analysis, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath and redirect your focus. Instead of striving to evaluate or improve yourself, turn your eyes to Jesus. Spend time with Him in prayer. Meditate on His Word. Let His Spirit lead you into a life of abiding, resting, and trusting.

As you do, you’ll find that the growth you long for happens organically. The fruit of His life will become evident—not because you’re trying harder, but because you’re staying closer.

So let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust Him to do the transforming work in us.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

We lift our hearts to You in awe and gratitude. Thank You for being the author and perfecter of our faith, for drawing us closer to Yourself, and for working in us what only You can accomplish. We rest in Your sufficiency and trust that as we fix our eyes on You, You will continue to shape us into Your likeness.

We surrender any striving or self-reliance, choosing instead to abide in You. May Your life flow through us, producing fruit that brings glory to the Father. Draw us ever closer to Your heart, so that our thoughts, desires, and actions reflect who You are.

Thank You for Your unchanging love, unending grace, and unfailing presence. We trust in Your promises and walk forward in the confidence that You are working in us and through us for Your glory.

In Your precious name, we pray,
Amen.

What about you? Do you find yourself focusing more on self-evaluation or on Jesus? How has abiding in Him changed your perspective on spiritual growth? I’d love to hear your thoughts.