June 27: Childish... or Childlike?

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. 1 Corinthians 13:11

The word of God encourages us to grow in faith. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, is making a point that, as one grows toward spiritual maturity, the direction of life is heavenward. The idea of childishness denotes a stubborn refusal to grow up. This attitude can certainly place one in spiritual danger. Paul had addressed spiritual immaturity earlier (see 1 Corinthians 3:2) and did so again later on:

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. Hebrews 5:12

And while there is a negative context regarding childishness, the Scripture also speaks of little children in a very positive context. Just as parents see their offspring as little children even after they are grown, our heavenly Father sees His trusting followers as little children. It is a term of extreme affection and endearment. Even Paul, who never married, thought of his listeners who chose to pursue Christ as his own children; he felt a deep, parental responsibility toward them to teach and admonish, encouraging them toward spiritual maturity.

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 1 Corinthians 4:14

…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

One of the most endearing characteristics of little children is their trust and belief of whatever they are told. Trusting and believing our heavenly Father with a childlike receptiveness—just because He said it—is the first step to living life in a heavenward direction. Spiritual maturity results from this kind of trust.

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. (v.13)