What the Bible Says About Childishness

In the Bible, childish behavior often refers to a lack of maturity in spiritual understanding and conduct, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:11, where Paul states, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” It suggests the need for growth and development in faith and character.

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Scripture

11 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.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Biblical Perspective on Childish Behavior

The notion of childish behavior in the Bible extends beyond mere immaturity to highlight the essential journey of spiritual growth and the transformative process of coming to maturity in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul’s reflection on his past as a child indicates that spiritual development is both inevitable and necessary for a deeper relationship with God. He contrasts the simplicity of childhood with the wisdom and responsibility of adulthood, implying that believers must progress from basic understanding to a profound, mature faith. This sentiment is echoed in Hebrews 5:12-14, where the author admonishes the congregation for their inability to digest “solid food” due to their prolonged immaturity, emphasizing that discernment and the ability to teach others spiritually are marks of maturity.

Additionally, Jesus himself ties in this theme of child-like qualities, not as indicators of immaturity but rather virtues to be embraced. In Matthew 18:3, He states, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Here, Jesus emphasizes humility, dependence, and trust as qualities of a child that are essential for entry into the Kingdom of God. Thus, while childish behavior in the context of spiritual life suggests a need for growth and maturity, the biblical narrative simultaneously champions the characteristics associated with childhood that should be retained and cultivated in a believer’s journey towards spiritual adulthood. This duality invites believers to aim for maturity while embracing the virtues of childlike faith.

The concept of childish behavior in biblical discourse can also be examined through the lens of James 1:22-25, which encourages believers to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers. Here, the danger of complacency and superficial engagement with faith is highlighted, akin to a child’s whimsical approach to promises or responsibilities. Just as a child might forget their commitments, believers are warned against the folly of listening to spiritual teachings without applying them to their lives. This call to action emphasizes the importance of maturity in one’s faith practice, urging individuals to grow beyond a passive acceptance of God’s word into an active, vibrant expression of their beliefs that reflects a deeper understanding and responsibility.

Moreover, in Ephesians 4:14, Paul speaks of the necessity for believers to grow up “in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” illustrating that childish behavior can manifest through instability in faith and susceptibility to false teachings. The imagery of being “tossed to and fro by the waves” highlights the need for maturity, suggesting that an emotional or childish grasp on faith can leave believers vulnerable to external influences. Thus, spiritual maturity entails developing a steadfastness and sound doctrine that anchors one’s beliefs, allowing individuals to navigate the complexities of life with the wisdom and discernment exemplified by Christ. In this context, the journey from childishness to maturity involves a commitment to a deeper understanding of Scripture and the embodiment of faith-informed actions in the world.

Spiritual Maturity and Growth

Childish behavior in the Bible often symbolizes a lack of spiritual maturity. It reflects a state of immaturity where individuals may struggle to grasp deeper spiritual truths and principles. This immaturity can manifest in a reliance on superficial understanding and an inability to navigate complex moral and ethical dilemmas. The call to grow in faith and understanding emphasizes the importance of moving beyond basic teachings and developing a more profound relationship with God.

Humility and Dependence

Another broader meaning of childish behavior is the emphasis on humility and dependence on God. Children are often seen as examples of trust and reliance, illustrating the need for believers to approach their faith with a sense of wonder and openness. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize their limitations and the necessity of divine guidance, fostering a spirit of humility that is essential for spiritual growth and community living.

The Dangers of Naivety

Childish behavior can also highlight the dangers of naivety and lack of discernment. In the biblical context, being childlike can sometimes lead to vulnerability, where individuals may be easily swayed by false teachings or worldly influences. This serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to cultivate wisdom and discernment, ensuring that their faith is grounded in sound doctrine and a mature understanding of God’s word.

How to Cultivate Spiritual Maturity in Your Christian Walk

Cultivating spiritual maturity in your Christian walk is a deeply personal journey that requires intentionality and a willingness to grow. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape your thoughts and actions; consider setting aside time each day for prayer and reflection, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding and applying biblical truths. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Embrace opportunities for service, as putting your faith into action not only blesses others but also deepens your own understanding of Christ’s love. Remember, spiritual maturity is not a destination but a continuous process of learning, repenting, and growing closer to God. Be patient with yourself, and trust that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).

Bible References to Childish Behavior:

Ephesians 4:14-16: 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3: 3 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Hebrews 5:12-14: 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:1-3: 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Matthew 18:1-4: 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them
3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 14:20-22: 20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

Galatians 4:1-3: 1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

Proverbs 22:15-17: 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

Isaiah 3:4-5: 4 And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.
5 And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable.