When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he said something curious: “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you” (Philippians 3:1). That statement tells us something profound about the way spiritual growth happens. Spiritual growth requires repetition.
In our world, we often prize new and novel. We look for the newest idea, the latest insight, or a fresh take on an old topic. But Paul reminds us that when it comes to the truths of God’s Word, repetition is not a weakness but rather a safeguard. The Philippians had already heard these truths before, perhaps even from Paul himself when he was with them in person. Yet Paul deliberately wrote them again. Why? Because faith must be reinforced, not reinvented.
Every teacher understands this principle. No one memorizes the multiplication tables or learns to play a musical instrument without repeating the basics. The same is true in our walk with Christ. We need to hear the Gospel, the commands of Scripture, and the promises of God again and again until they become woven into the fabric of who we are.
Sadly, some Christians grow weary of hearing familiar truths. They crave something new, not realizing that spiritual maturity is built through continual exposure to the same life-giving message. Just as our physical bodies need daily nourishment, our souls need the steady diet of God’s Word proclaimed, explained, and applied. Think for a moment about your own eating habits. You have your favorite foods and you eat them over and over again. Your spiritual formation requires being catechized on the same truths throughout your life. Why?
Paul said that repeating the truth was “safe for you.” Repetition is a spiritual safeguard. Knowing the truth keeps us from drifting into error, from becoming dull in our faith, and from forgetting the foundations on which we stand. In an age that constantly tempts us toward distraction and doctrinal shallowness, we need more and certainly not less of the old, familiar story.
At church through the songs, prayers, and sermon we are reminded every week that the Gospel never gets old. Its message of grace, forgiveness, and renewal continues to shape us each time we hear it. So if you find yourself thinking, “I’ve heard this before,” take heart. That’s exactly the point. The repetition of God’s truth is not a sign of stagnation. It is a faithful rhythm of spiritual growth.
So show up every week at church and delight in the Word that is preached. Read through your Bible year after year. Pray the same prayers over and over until you get new words to pray. Study the same book of the Bible for three or even six months and see how much you learn and grow. If your church posts sermons online, go back during the week and listen again to see how much you missed the first time around. Here is why. God is at work in you in this repetition. He is building spiritual muscle and biblical knowledge into you for the battles that we face. And be patient with your pastors. They are learning and growing also.
Joe Tolin
Kingman Presbyterian Church
