Childish Things

"When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Chapter 13 is best known as the "Love Chapter" ("Love is patient, love is kind....")  In verse 11, what Paul is talking about has to do with maturity. He is using the maturing from child to adult as an illustration. The love chapter is embedded in a discussion on spiritual gifts (chapters 12-14), an issue that had obviously become divisive in the Corinthian fellowship. What he is telling them is that gifts are for this lifetime, and specific gifts maybe even for specific times in the life of a believer or a fellowship. They are temporary, much like childhood. Don't put so much stock in them. Faith, hope and love endure, and love is the greatest of these. So, grow up and put more emphasis on loving each other than on what gifts you have.

What does it mean to speak, think & reason as a child? I think, in essence, it has to do with completeness, with the insight that comes with the wisdom and understanding of age and experience. Children have the perspective of a child. They don't have the wisdom that comes with age for interpreting the world around them or even their own experiences. Have you ever heard a 3 or 4 year old wax eloquent about some topic they know nothing about? We were in a motorcycle dealership with our son when he was about that age. I wish I had a recording of his description of the various parts of the motorcycle and what they were for. He sounded for all the world like an expert mechanic, except he had no clue what any of it really was.

Your toddler wanders into the street, totally unaware of the danger. If telling him not to doesn't convince him, you may have to punish him. Why? Because if he gets hit by a car, it is going to be much more serious & painful than a spanking (or whatever discipline you choose). It is better for him to experience a little pain on his naturally padded backside in order to teach him a lesson in obedience, than to have him disobey and die.

Children see someone smoke or drink, and think it's cool. So, as soon as they are able, they emulate the behavior. Is it really cool? Is it in anyway good for you? No, and no. But they started the behavior from the perspective a child, and may or may not ever put away that perspective and choose to overcome the ensuing addiction.

Parents divorce. One parent rejects the other and their children and leaves. The children may wonder what they did to cause this. It isn't their fault. It's the sin of the parent(s). It may take years, or a life-time before they understand this and let go of the blame. The same thing often happens when I child is abused or molested.

A young man may be told his curiosity about his sexuality is homosexual behavior. If there are other factors, such as timidity, interest in music, lack of interest in sports or other "manly" activities, he may start to believe he was "born different." A young girl who has a strong athletic tendency, who is a tomboy, and/or has been mistreated by men (especially her own father) may have a similar perspective. Does that make it true? No, it's a child's perspective.

This isn't about homosexuality or any other specific sin. It's about making sure that the way we see ourselves, the way we see life and our choices of behavior, relationships with God and man, etc., is the same way God sees us, and not the perspective a child. Become an adult. Put away childish speaking, thinking & reasoning. Experience the love of the Father; hope in Him; Faith Him.