It takes time to grow spiritually.

Growing in spirituality takes time. We are, in effect, born again, so we have to grow from there. How fast we grow depends on how serious we are about wanting to know God better. There are some behaviors that we can change immediately, but our core thinking will take time to develop.

Don’t feel hypocritical if you say what you don’t actually live yet. When you are filled with the Spirit of God, you have His love, joy, peace, patience, etc. You can say that you have His patience because you have God. It’s the truth. However, it may take time for that patience to have its perfect work in you. That’s ok. God knows that you are growing, as long as you actually are growing. Keep declaring what it is that you want, and eventually you will start to see the changes.

The Holy Spirit will prompt you to respond with Him, but it will take time for you to begin to recognize His voice. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t feel mature spiritually as a new believer, or even as an old believer. The key is to want to be changed by God. What are the aspects of God that you need? Read His word, ask Him, keep asking Him. It won’t be days, it will be months before you begin to realize how you’ve been changed, but if you want to be changed, you will.