Child-Like or Childish

Children are cute and fun to be around watching them grow and learn things. The innocence of a child is precious. But what is cute in a 3-year-old is not cute in an 18-year-old. Even things given to children must be “age appropriate.” You wouldn’t give a car to a 3-year-old, nor should you give a pacifier to a 17-year-old.

Matthew 19:13-14 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (NKJ)

It’s not that children are gullible. They simply believe what they are told because they haven’t learned through experience to doubt. Doubt is taught. It’s not natural to a child.

Mark 10:13-16 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (NKJ)

Matthew 18:2-7 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (NKJ)

True humility comes through the Word of God.

1 Peter 1:25-2:3 But the Word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the Word which by the gospel was preached to you. 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (NKJ)

Growth is impossible without the Word. We can get a lot of information out of the Word. But that’s not enough. Don’t read the Bible for information. Read it for transformation.

Ephesians 4:14-16 … we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (NKJ)

Childishness is marked by selfishness – me, my, mine. It only considers its own needs and not the needs of others.

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. (NKJ)

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. (NKJ) To reign in the thoughts.

In the New Testament, “malice” refers to a state of moral corruption and wickedness. It encompasses a broad range of evil behaviors and intentions, including depravity, ill-will, and a general disposition towards wrongdoing. The term is often used to describe the inherent sinful nature of humanity and the moral depravity that opposes God’s righteousness.

Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteous-ness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

GWT 14 However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.

When we first learn how to ride a bike, we use training wheels. But as we practice, we get to a stage where we don’t need training wheels. It’s time to take off the training wheels.

Galatians 4:1-7 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (NKJ) Don’t be childish, enslaved to your fleshly desires. Be child-like in your faith, believing all the things your Heavenly Father says about you and what you can have in His Word.