Articles
by Laurie A. Moyer
Childish or Childlike?
Jesus said we must be converted and be like little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 18:3). On the one hand that is an easy thing to do. Children are by definition immature and that usually shows in being preoccupied with self and immediate gratification. That is part of what we usually term childishness, and is not complimentary. Unfortunately, most of us find we suffer from bouts of childishness.
- When we demand to have things our way or we will go off and pout we are being childish.
- When we fume about not having our preferences and loudly repeat what they are at every opportunity we are being childish.
- When we refuse to do something that needs done because it would not be easy or convenient we are being childish.
- When we say "Its not my turn," to do work and "Its not fair," that we might end up working more we are being childish.
- When we are oblivious to the people around us and their needs we are being childish.
The list goes on and on. These are not the attitudes Jesus was asking for when He called us to be childlike. Jesus defined the good quality He wanted with the word "Humble." The humility of childhood is often lost as children learn. When they are young they are open to instruction. They accept what they are told at face value and act upon it. Children can spot inconsistency a mile away, probably because they have no hidden agenda. They are not trying to justify anything, only apply what they are told. It may be socially embarrasing for adults to have a child walk up to a stranger and tell them they shouldn't smoke because it is bad for them, but to the child it is only a logical application of what they have been taught.
- When we hear what the Bible has to say, listen and question to be sure we understand it, and then apply that information we are being childlike.
- When we take the clear application of a passage and ask others to live by it, too, we are being child-like.
- When we know having others to play with (learn and grow spiritually with) is more important than silly fusses we may have had in the past we are being child-like.
- When we realize that being part of a (play) group means doing things someone else's way sometimes we are being child-like.
- When we realize we cannot take care of ourselves and trust our Father to provide for us and protect us we are being child-like.
- When we brag about Our Father (not ourselves) to others and tell others what He says and does because we are convinced of his superiority we are being child-like.
Being childish is easy, but being child-like takes work.
Laurie A. Moyer