Childish Ways

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." 1 Corinthians 13:11

The Bible tells us to essentially grow up! Not so much in our actions, but in our walk with the Lord. It is fun to act like a child - being silly- that's fine. However, when scripture teaches us to put aside childish ways it is referring to the things that aren't in line with God's word. Let's first start with the actions of a child when they want something. A child is always wanting, whining and wishing. They always want the toy for themselves, the candy in the store and to have their own way. How many of us have seen a child pitch a temper tantrum in a store because a parent won't get them that one thing they want so badly. But when we become adults, we need to put an end this childish act. We need to stop being like children. We need to stop thinking of only what we can get or what we want and adopt the mindset of giving. We need to put an end to having and discover sharing. We need to learn to die to our selfish ways and be able to put others before ourselves. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I spoke about what's in it for me. But if I desire to be a mature Christian, I must stop focusing on all I can get for myself and look at what I can give, I need to put an end to that childish mentality.

Another attribute of a child is they think in small terms. A child thinks of a world that only he or she can see, a size he or she can comprehend and manage. A child thinks about small spaces and about short spans of time. Most children can't take things that require an investment of time...for instance a long road trip. Have you ever heard, "Are we there yet"? Putting behind us childish ways also includes being willing to make a bigger investment. Not being impatient with what is going on in the world around us, but looking at the bigger picture and knowing there is a BIG God we serve and He has a greater purpose. God calls us not to our small sized world - but to His God size plan! So many of us want to stay in our little comfort zone of our families, neighbors and yes even our sweet churches. But He calls us to step out of that comfortable and manageable world. He wants us to embrace things that only He can do and what He can do in and through us. God doesn't want us to be like a child and think small or limit ourselves. He wants to to think bigger. There is a big world out there and God loves it! There are all kinds of people we can be making an impact on for the Lord. All kinds of places we can go and serve Him. If you still think your mission in life is to just take care of yourself and your family, you are still thinking as a child.

Finally, childish ways often include being irresponsible. As a child, we are challenged to understand and acknowledge when we make poor choices and act irresponsible. Most children will argue until they are blue in the face that they aren't wrong or repeatedly try to prove their point. As one gets older and as life would have it, consequences teach valuable lessons. If we are striving to put aside childish ways and are still stuck in irresponsibility, we need to look in the mirror of God's word/scriptures and make some changes. Be reminded that we cannot pull anything over on our Heavenly Father. We cannot sweep our sin under the rug. He knows all the sins we have committed. We realize when we put aside our childish ways, that we can't hide our sin even if no one sees it, we can't pretend it didn't happen. When we come face to face with our Lord, it is then we can see the truth about ourselves and our sin. We must step up and be an adult, who can acknowledge that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, whether anyone has seen it or not. For God has seen it, and against Him, Him only, have we sinned.

The scriptures teach us to put an end to our childish ways - think of what you can give instead of what you can get from others, think in terms of a BIG God and not your little world, and put aside irresponsible behavior by choosing actions of obedience.