Adults Acting
Childish
Can you address the Bible’s view as how Christian adults should behave? In today’s world the behavior of people is often embarrassing, even those who say they follow the Bible and Jesus.
Paul the Apostle gives instruction of God’s views on conduct to the Corinthian church in two of his letters. There were people in need of understanding how God wants his people to represent Him. The entire chapter of I Corinthians 13 brings a clear, full perspective on godly mature behavior.
Here are some verses from this chapter for you. Paul writes in verse 1: “If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] angels but have not love …I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Verses 4 & 5 talks about what the (Love of God) looks like if it lives in you. “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”
Verse 9 of I Corinthians 13 tells us that “our knowledge, is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect),” as well also (our teaching). We don’t know WHY things are what they are. We don’t know what caused, or what happened before or what is ahead, what’s needed. We only see a part; God knows the beginning and the end. We must trust and leave all to Him. We don’t know why people act like they do, what their background might be, or what has happened in their life that has influenced their behavior.
I Corinthians 13:11” When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.” Amplified Bible
Verse 11 tells us acting “child like” is not “Christ like” behavior. When adults act in a self-centered, simplistic way that is one sided, it should be stopped. Maturity must rule in the way we live. Paul urges that our words and actions demonstrate “the fruit of the spirit” which is JOY and PEACE even in times of distress.
In II Corinthians 13:11’ Paul closes his letter to the church at Corinth saying, “Finally, brothers, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); … be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace…And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Amplified Bible
I also found a letter to the Jewish Christians in the book of Hebrews. Their conduct and condition was in danger because of neglect of public worship, weakness in prayer, neglect of the Scriptures, refusal to teach others among other things. In chapter 5:11-14 you can read an appeal written. The church here is “dull of hearing.” “For when the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again.” … “and are become such ashave need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belonged to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” KJV
Develop a longing (desire) to know more of God’s Ways, and the cost of following Jesus. Put behind you, spiritual childhood and grow to maturity in God.
