Growing Spiritually

If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, do you desire to grow as a Christian?
To achieve success in a race, we must work out and practice and prepare. Much like in life, if we want to win and have the strength and preparedness to overcome our temptations and struggles, we must practice and grow as a believer.

This was from a devotional I recently read.

In Philippians 2:13-14, Paul says that the Christian life is a partnership involving God and you. God works in you to motivate you to desire to fulfill His purposes. Spiritual growth begins with God. God works in you before He can work through you.
The English word “energy” comes from the word translated “work” in verse 13. God’s divine energy is at work in you and through you. When you gave your life to Jesus, your eternal destiny was altered, a radical reorientation of priorities occurred, life took on a new purpose, and the Holy Spirit took up residence. But rather than providing instant liberation from every bad habit or character flaw you have ever possessed, what took place was more like the landing of an army on an island to establish a beachhead. It would take time for the army to root out the enemy. Likewise, it will take time for God to conquer your old, bad habits and flawed character traits.
Once God works in you, then you grow spiritually as you “work out” or “work to full completion” the traits God has instilled in you. When Paul writes, “work out your salvation” (verse 12), he is talking about a spiritual workout. What God has put in you requires time and training to work out. Spiritual growth necessitates ordering your life around the disciplines of prayer, solitude, Bible reading, worship, giving and serving. Allow God to work in you as you practice these disciplines, and you will see spiritual growth take place in your life.
Lord…help us to practice the disciplines that lead us to spiritual growth!!