Are you Childish or Childlike?

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 3:11

Childish is defined as a characteristic of children especially as it regards to behaivor or judgement. Childlike is defined as an offspring.

Now to be childish is to act like a child, to understand as a child. We all go through this phase where we are learning and acquiring all of the information we need to grow. I like to think of it as our developmental stage. Where the problem comes in a lot of the time is that we stay in the childish phase too long...sometimes people never move beyond this phase. In Hebrews 5:12-14, "For when for the time we ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." In these verses immaturity is the focus. We have to get beyond the milk and move to the strong meat. We cannot be students forever, but we must move into the role as teacher when we can discern good from evil.

To be childlike is to totally rely and trust on another. If you think about it, children are very trusting and often taken advantage of because they are so pure. You can pretty much tell them anything and they will believe it. Our trust in God has to be that of a child. We have to be completely trusting in all things! In 1 Peter 2:2-3 it says, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thererby: If so be ye have tasted the Lord is gracious." We have to have a longing for God's word like a newborn babe for his mother's milk! One of my friends is trying to wean her son off of breast milk and it is very difficult. He has to have it and does not want to give it up! We have to have that same attitude when it comes to God's word. We cannot just merely be hearers either. We must apply his word in our daily lives, but we must do it with a humble spirit.

Being childish should be for a season but what Ephesians 4: 14-16 shows us is that we must move from one phase to the next to reach spiritual maturity, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From when the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

God's goal is that we as Christians leave our childish ways behind, and grow into spiritual maturity through the preaching and teaching of his holy word! Be blessed!

A Prayer for Cleansing (Psalm 51)

David was truly a man after God's own heart. In this Psalm, David recognizes that he had failed God. Throughout all of his transgressions, he still maintained a certain level of sensitivity to sin. He acknowledged his mistakes and goes forth to ask for forgiveness and seeks inner renewal.

We all are born into sin and we fall short...A LOT (at least I know I do)! Although this happens, we cannot stay right there. We must have a repentant heart and move beyond our transgressions to live a glorious life for GOD! After all, it is what he desires.

This prayer is one of cleansing that I encourage each one of you to pray if you are battling with an issue and need to be restored. Let's take back what the devil is trying to take away! I pray blessings upon each and every one of you!

Dear God,

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the wall of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Amen

Now let's move forward in our walk, never looking back to our former selves, but with hope of a better future!