Why Does Growth Feel So Slow? Understanding Growing Sanctification

A Devotional on the 78th Question of the Westminster Larger Catechism

In the previous questions of the Larger Catechism, we have been reminded that sanctification is God’s real work in His people—setting us apart to Himself and progressively shaping us into the likeness of Christ. We have also been helped to distinguish sanctification from justification: justification is God’s once-for-all declaration that we are righteous in Christ, while sanctification is the ongoing renewal of our lives by the Spirit. That distinction matters because many believers grow discouraged when they discover that sincere faith does not erase every struggle. If God is at work, why do we still feel divided? Why do old patterns resurface? Why do we sometimes stumble in ways that seem out of step with what we believe?

The catechism answers with sober honesty and steady pastoral care. It asks: “What is the cause of the imperfection of sanctification in believers?” And it answers: “The imperfection of sanctification in believers comes from the remnants of sin remaining in every part of them and the perpetual lusts of the flesh against the spirit. By these, believers are often foiled with temptations, fall into many sins, and are hindered in all their spiritual services, and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.”

The Remnants of Sin Remain in Every Part

One of the most clarifying phrases is “remnants of sin remaining in every part of them.” Sin is not merely a set of outward habits; it also clings to our inner life—our desires, thoughts, motives, and reflexes. Paul describes this reality without evasion: “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” (Rom. 7:18). He is not denying the new life God has given. He is confessing that indwelling sin still makes its presence known.

This helps us interpret our experience without panic. When impatience rises quickly, when anxiety starts steering decisions, when envy appears in a moment that should have been pure joy, you are not discovering that grace has failed. You are discovering what Scripture has already told you: the believer is renewed, but not yet perfected. The new heart is real, and so is the remaining corruption. That truth does not excuse sin; it explains why vigilance and repentance remain necessary.

The Flesh Wars Against the Spirit

The catechism adds “the perpetual lusts of the flesh against the spirit.” Paul speaks of an ongoing internal conflict: there is “another law waging war against the law of my mind” (Rom. 7:23). The Christian life, then, is not merely learning new routines; it is living in a battle. Temptation is not occasional, and weakness is not imaginary.

Hebrews gives a practical posture for this fight: “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” (Heb. 12:1). Some hindrances are obvious sins. Others are “weights”—good or neutral things that become spiritually heavy because they dominate attention, drain affection, or dull alertness. Both can hinder spiritual progress. In that sense, sanctification often feels uneven: real growth, real setbacks, and real dependence on grace in both.

When Saints Stumble: Peter as a Mirror

The catechism is frank: believers are “often foiled with temptations” and “fall into many sins.” Scripture shows this not to shame the believer, but to teach humility and watchfulness. Peter’s denial in Mark 14:66–72 is a sobering example. He is not an enemy of Christ; he is a disciple who truly loves Jesus, yet fear and pressure overtake him. His fall warns us that strong intentions do not equal strong obedience, and that self-confidence is a fragile foundation.

Galatians 2:11–12 shows Peter again, this time not denying Christ, but compromising under social pressure. He withdraws from table fellowship with Gentile believers when certain men arrive, and his actions influence others. Even mature believers can be swayed by the fear of people. The lesson is not that sanctification is pointless, but that remaining sin is real, and vigilance must be ongoing.

Even Our Best Works Need Cleansing

The catechism’s final line can sound severe: “their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.” Yet Isaiah tells us plainly, “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isa. 64:6). Even when we do the right thing outwardly, sin can mingle inwardly—pride, self-display, bitterness, or a craving for control. Our obedience may be sincere, but it is not spotless.

So how does God receive our obedience at all? Exodus 28:38 gives a striking picture: the high priest bears “the iniquity of the holy things” offered by the people. Even their worship needed mediation—someone to carry away what was tainted in what they brought. That priestly ministry points us to Christ. Our works are not the basis of our acceptance, and they do not become acceptable by becoming flawless. They are received because our High Priest presents them, cleansing what is defiled and forgiving what is sinful. This keeps us from boasting, and it keeps us from despair.

Summary and Application for the Believer

Westminster’s answer is not meant to crush you; it is meant to steady you. The imperfection of sanctification has real causes: sin remains, and the flesh resists. That is why temptations can foil us, why we sometimes fall, and why our spiritual service often feels hindered. If you are surprised by that struggle, you may be tempted to conclude that something has gone wrong. Scripture teaches the opposite: the conflict itself is a mark of spiritual life, and the call of God is not to denial, but to watchfulness and repentance (Rom. 7:18, 23).

Take inventory, then, with honesty and hope. Where are the predictable places you are tempted—fatigue, fear of people, the need to be approved, the desire to control outcomes? Peter’s story invites humility: the believer can stumble badly (Mark 14:66–72) and can compromise subtly (Gal. 2:11–12). Do not treat that as permission to coast, but as a reason to pray, to avoid overconfidence, and to “lay aside every weight” that slows your obedience (Heb. 12:1). Expect the fight, and do not be shocked when it shows up on ordinary days.

Finally, bring your whole life—including your imperfect obedience—to Christ. Your best works are still stained (Isa. 64:6), but they are not useless or ignored. Through your High Priest, God receives what you offer in faith, because Christ bears the iniquity of your “holy things” (Ex. 28:38). That means you can confess sin plainly, return quickly, serve sincerely, and keep moving forward without despair. Sanctification is real, but it is not finished yet—and the God who began His work in you will keep carrying you by grace until He completes it.

Soli Deo Gloria