Child-like vs. Childish
God says we are to be child-like in our disposition, in our attitude, in the way we look
at things. We should receive simply, without a lot of doubting, fearing, questing and
analyzing. In Ephesians 5:1-2 says “be you therefore followers of God as dear
children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor”. Children imitate their
parents, that’s why, you can’t say to them “do as I say, and don’t do as I do”. In John
8:41-44 Jesus told the Jews who were trusting in being a seed of Abraham, they were
like their father the devil. Remember the sins of the father fall down to the children to
the 3rd and 4th generation of them that hate Me, but the blessings go to a thousand
generations. Children take for face value what is said to them. When you tell a child
that they are going to “Disney” or some special place, they get excited right then.
They don’t just sit back until they get there. They believe and express their joy.
That also works in the negative, if you call your child “stupid or dumb” they will be
believe it and act accordingly. God wants us to conform to the image of Christ
(Romans 8:29). God made a way for us to grow up in Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us “He
gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, some pastor and
teachers. For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ”. “For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for
he is a babe; but strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who
by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”
(Hebrews 5:13-14). In the kingdom of God you have to believe it to see it (Mark 11:
22-24). We have been adopted by God as dear children, therefore blessings are
ours. II Peter 3:18 says “but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ”. Jesus told them “I speak that which I have seen with My
Father” (John 8:38). We have seen above that we are to be followers of Christ, so
we have to speak the Word of God in our every day living.
Childish = selfish, demanding things to go their way, James 3:14-16 says “but if you
have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where
envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”. It tells us what childish
people do. Being carnal is childish (Romans 8:5-8), God says we should go on to
solid food (the Word of God) leaving that 1st principle of Christ and go on to maturity
(our personal knowledge of Jesus Christ) see I Corinthians 3:1-4. Carnal people try
to find contradictions in the Bible, they are trying to understand the Bible with their
carnal (earthly) mind. The Jesus Seminar have actually declared certain statements
of the Bible to be false, misleading many who do not study for themselves. We are
told to study to show yourself approved, a workman rightly dividing the word ( II
Timothy 2:15). Anyone that we know who is doing this, we are to pray for as Paul
prayed for the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:17-19. Remember, that God does not
want any to perish, but that all would come the knowledge of the truth.
We are to examine ourselves and if we find that we have been walking carnally, we
can repent and pray for guidance.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: July 21, 2006