1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul brings up the very natural process of growing. One aspect of that is that a child does certain things that are not acceptable as the reach maturity. They have much more leeway in their speech, their attitudes, their shedding of clothes and the like. We understand that as a child that they do not understand the norms of society and that they have to learn the proper behavior for a given situation. Even if they may know it, it still takes time for them to memorize, recall and apply what it is they need to do.

While this is not Paul’s main point in 1 Corinthians, I do think that it has a application in our Christian walk. His observation about the changes that come about with time for our physical lives also apply to our spiritual lives.  When we are first baptized, we are new babes in Christ, just recently born. It takes time for us to learn the new norms and laws that God has provided for us. Even after our conversion there are times where we learn that we are babes in other areas. When we run into a problem we do not know how to handle, it may make us realize that we are still inexperienced in some ways. We are still children needing to learn how to act.

While at first it may be discouraging to think of ourselves as “children” in Christ, there is also hope. God understands that we are children sometimes, that we may not yet have all the answers. And even if we know the answers, He also realizes that it may take us a while to actually put into every day practice. Sometimes we may expect too much of ourselves, that we need to have all wisdom and understand as well as perfect actions. While we should continually strive for these things, we must also understand that there is a learning curve involved. If we fail we must not give up, but increase our diligence in learning the lessons needed.

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.