Title
Childlike or Childish?
Scripture
You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.
(Deuteronomy 18:13)
Devotional
To be blameless is to be innocent and mature in our actions, thoughts and deeds. There is no room for childishness before the Lord, only childlike-ness. The difference is that childishness is exemplified by immaturity, selfishness and greed. Childlike-ness is represented by maturity, charity, and generosity. To be blameless before God is to be mature. Maturity comes by growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. It is being conformed to His image. It is being like Jesus. Therefore, we are to put away childish things and put on Christ. Quite simply, we are to grow up. The book of Ephesians says it this way, “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head---Christ.” (1) When we find ourselves being childish, we are to blame for that childishness. When we find ourselves childlike, we are blameless and Christ gets the glory.
(1) Ephesians 4:14
Text For The Day
Deuteronomy 18:13: “You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”
Thought For The Day
“Faith is the inborn capacity to see God behind everything, the wonder that keeps you an eternal child. Wonder is the very essence of life. Beware always of losing the wonder…” Oswald Chambers
Questions To Ponder
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What is the difference between God’s only begotten Son and those sons and daughters who have been created in His image?
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Was Christ ever childish?
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What are some examples of childlikeness and childishness?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: To be “childlike” reflects the innocence and virtue of little children; to be “childish” demonstrates the often-inherent rebellion and selfishness of adolescence.
Referencing: “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 Corinthians 13:11.
Applying: Live your life with wonderful childlike joy and wonder. Hold on to innocence and virtue. Put away childish things.