Introduction. Have you ever heard the admonition to “Act your age!”, “Grow up!”, “Stop being a baby!”, or stop being a “snowflake”? Conversely have you heard the admonition ”Don’t be so serious!”, ”Chill out … lighten up!”, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”, or ”Listen to your inner child.” Usually those are said when something is out of balance in the person’s behavior.
The same is true in the spiritual realm. Some scriptures encourage us to be like children:
The same is true in the spiritual realm. Some scriptures encourage us to be like children:
- Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15)
- Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Pet. 2:1-2)
- …that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” (Phil. 2:15)
- When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Cor. 13:11)
- For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (Heb. 5:12)
- “And He Himself gave some to be … evangelists … pastors … teachers, … for the edifying of the body of Christ, … that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. (Eph. 4:11-15)
Positive Attributes of Children. Generally speaking, children are often associated with a number of positive attributes which are praised in scripture.
Innocence. Children are often known for their innocence. Scripturally this attribute is praised, especially when it comes to evil.
Trusting. Children tend to naturally trust those around them. The scriptures praise this attribute when directed toward God or when giving others the benefit of the doubt.
Loving. Along with trust, children usually show a natural love. This is commended in the scriptures toward God, our neighbor, and our fellow Christians.
Curious. Curiosity is another commendable trait children have as they seek to explore and understand their environment. Likewise, this desire to learn is praised when it comes to spiritual matters.
Joyful. Children can also express such pure joy and happiness, often toward some of the simplest things. So, too, should adults.
Negative Attributes of Children. On the other hand, children also tend to have some negative attributes the scriptures say we should avoid.
Lack of knowledge. Curiosity coupled with a lack of knowledge often leads children into some potentially dangerous and even life-threatening situations. So it also is with adults from a spiritual perspective.
Foolish. Children can also act foolishly and get in trouble by not listening to their parents and not thinking ahead (“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” Prov. 22:15). The same can be said of adults.
Self-centered. Children are often focused on their own needs. We adults also need to watch out for this attitude.
Selfish. Similar to being self-centered, children often can be selfish, especially around siblings when vying for toys. Thus the often-uttered word, “Mine!” Adults can fall into this trap as well with “selfish ambitions” as a work of the flesh (2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20)
Lack of self-control. Children are infamous for getting upset and crying for a multitude of reasons, some quite minor. The Bible clearly warns this is an attribute to avoid. This includes avoiding sinful, vile, or lustful passions (Rom. 1:26; Rom. 7:5; Gal. 5:24) and extends to what we say.
Interlude. Having looked at typical attributes of children from both a positive and negative perspective, we’ll look at those of adults in part 2.
Innocence. Children are often known for their innocence. Scripturally this attribute is praised, especially when it comes to evil.
- … I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” (Rom. 16:19)
- Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matt. 7:15)
- But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim. 3:13)
Trusting. Children tend to naturally trust those around them. The scriptures praise this attribute when directed toward God or when giving others the benefit of the doubt.
- The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psa. 18:2)
- You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (Psa. 115:11)
- Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)
- Love … believes all things, hopes all things (1 Cor. 13:7)
Loving. Along with trust, children usually show a natural love. This is commended in the scriptures toward God, our neighbor, and our fellow Christians.
- So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27).
- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. (Rom. 12:10)
- Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1 Pet. 1:22)
Curious. Curiosity is another commendable trait children have as they seek to explore and understand their environment. Likewise, this desire to learn is praised when it comes to spiritual matters.
- But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:2)
- I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. (Prov. 8:17)
- These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
- But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)
Joyful. Children can also express such pure joy and happiness, often toward some of the simplest things. So, too, should adults.
- Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (Phil. 4:4)
- Rejoice always. (1Thes. 5:16)
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet. 1:3-9
Negative Attributes of Children. On the other hand, children also tend to have some negative attributes the scriptures say we should avoid.
Lack of knowledge. Curiosity coupled with a lack of knowledge often leads children into some potentially dangerous and even life-threatening situations. So it also is with adults from a spiritual perspective.
- My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hos. 4:6)
- … for everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (Heb. 5:13)
Foolish. Children can also act foolishly and get in trouble by not listening to their parents and not thinking ahead (“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” Prov. 22:15). The same can be said of adults.
- How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. (Prov. 1:22)
- O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. (Prov. 8:5)
- But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (Matt. 7:26)
- For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived,… (Tit. 3:3)
Self-centered. Children are often focused on their own needs. We adults also need to watch out for this attitude.
- So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” … So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:18-21)
- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; … distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Rom. 12:10-13
- And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Matt. 11:6)
- Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? (Matt. 15:12)
- Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33)
Selfish. Similar to being self-centered, children often can be selfish, especially around siblings when vying for toys. Thus the often-uttered word, “Mine!” Adults can fall into this trap as well with “selfish ambitions” as a work of the flesh (2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20)
- Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Phil. 2:3)
- But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:14-16)
Lack of self-control. Children are infamous for getting upset and crying for a multitude of reasons, some quite minor. The Bible clearly warns this is an attribute to avoid. This includes avoiding sinful, vile, or lustful passions (Rom. 1:26; Rom. 7:5; Gal. 5:24) and extends to what we say.
- A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Prov. 25:28)
- But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (2 Tim. 3:1-4)
- If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. … But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 1:26; 3:8-10)
Interlude. Having looked at typical attributes of children from both a positive and negative perspective, we’ll look at those of adults in part 2.