Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 69
become adults, they will be better able to serve others motivated by security rather than duty or obligation (Parker et al. 1979). This finding also has an important implication for religious institutions who are training future Christian leaders. It is important for institutions to help students discover their student' s motivations for behaviors representing spiritual maturity. Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith." It is important that students' works of faith are motivated by an attitude of love.
Implications of the Relationship of Secure Adult Attachment and Spiritual Maturity
The most extensive implications can be made from the most significant finding of
this study. A significant positive relationship was found between adult attachment and spiritual maturity. This is particularly true in regard to a personal relationship with God including trust and belief in God; a sense of personal well-being, security, and peace; integration of
faith and life; and seeking spiritual growth. Furthermore, secure adult attachment also
relates to holding life-affinning values and commitments; advocating social justice; and
serving humanity. This supports the notion that the psychological process of attachment and the process of spiritual maturity are highly related and involve parallel processes. A secure adult attachment style reflects both security and confidence (Noller,
1994). The security makes it relatively easy to trust and get close to others. Security
develops a feeling ofconfidence that other people will like and respect, and be there when
needed. The affect that results from a secure relationship style that includes security and
confidence serves to motivate secure relationships with others. This motivation influences movement toward God who not only relates out of security and confidence but
also desires to build this in those He relates to. God accomplishes this through the work
of His Holy Spirit. Secure adult attachment being related to spiritual maturity has some important
implications for the lives of seminary students and the kind of training needed to prepare
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