1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Children cannot think logically as they do not have the ability to work out why things happen or how to handle it. Children think symbolically, based on creativity and fantasy. After the age of five or six they slowly develop logical thinking and reasoning. Also children don’t think before they speak as they are emotionally driven.
The third stage of spiritual growth is to grow out of childish thinking, talking and reactionary behaviour. We have to remain childlike without being childish. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Our faith must remain childlike as we mature because factual and logical thinking will destroy faith. However, anger tantrums from an adult are childish behaviour. A childlike faith will trust our Father in Heaven no matter what the outcome is. A childish believer will get upset and angry with God when things don’t go their way. Childish faith will stop praying and start lamenting rather than continuing to trust God even when they cannot understand. Childlike faith declares that all things will work together for good to those who love God through the mountains and the dark valleys.
Even after being with Jesus for 3 ½ years, Peter’s behaviour was childish and he was emotionally driven when Jesus was arrested at the Garden of Gethsemane. Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear (John 18:10). Peter grew out of his childishness as they waited in the upper room and prayed. His repulsive reactionary behaviour changed after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Growing out of impulsivity and impetuous behaviour will mature from childishness.
Childlike Christianity:
1. Innocent: Innocence of a child comes from the pure thinking that is untainted by the care and worries of the world. Children may have bouts of fear but they are never depressed about money matters or their Dad’s job situation or about grandma’s health. When we learn not to worry but to trust God with our tomorrows we will become childlike.
2. Innocuous: Children don’t hold grudges. They will go back to playing with the friend or sibling who fought with them just a few minutes ago. They are inoffensive, harmless and innocuous. Be childlike and forgive everyone almost immediately. Don’t carry resentment or horde bitterness.
3. Interdependent: Children need other children in order to learn, share, and develop empathy and life skills. They are interdependent. Iron sharpens an iron; fellowships and godly friendships are essential to grow out of childishness.
Mature from childish behaviour but remain childlike. As we grow in our spiritual walk we must consciously remain childlike, innocuous and interdependent yet grow out of childishness.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
Prayer: Father God, help me to grow out of any childish thinking and talking but teach me to remain steadfast in childlike faith, trust, and purity. Amen.
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