16May16

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Having a "child-like faith" is applauded by Jesus in the Bible. It's something to strive for. But, we are called to mature in other areas of our life away from childishness. I have seen so many people who refuse to grow up. Long past the time for their maturity they are still speaking, thinking, and reasoning like a child. You know the people I am talking about. You may be the person I'm talking about. I would characterize what Paul writes about in this verse like this:

1. Speaking like a child = emotional outbursts, unthoughtful remarks, and a distinct lack of vocabulary (every heard someone who can't complete a sentence without utilizing a cuss word?).

2. Thinking like a child = Large gaps in their facts. Finds the easiest form of education (maybe Facebook) and accepts it as truth. Formulates their worldview based on what they are told rather than what they take the time to research, prove, and accept. Putting value on things that have little, or no, real lasting value.

3. Reasoning like a child = Finding ways to blame others for their mistakes or failing to accept responsibility for their own shortcomings. Circular logic that tries to bend the world to their will instead of understanding the will of others... purely selfish.

I think of something my mom used to tell me when I was younger. "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck... it must be a duck." If we are speaking like a child, thinking like a child, and reasoning like a child then we must be children... not adults. It is time to grow up. It is time to stop sacrificing our future because we want to act like we did as children. It is time to embrace growth and become the men and women that God has called us to be. We can't hold onto childishness and fulfill our adult purposes at the same time. We have to "give up childish ways."

How are you still acting like a child today? How can you start the process into adulthood? What is holding you back from the purpose that God has called you to?