DON’T BE LIKE A CHILD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   In our previous lesson, we learned that the Bible commands us to become like little children.  There are many traits that children have that God’s children need to emulate.

 

B.   The title of this lesson, however, is:  “Don’t Be Like Children.”

1.    There are some traits that children have that do not need to be practiced by God’s people.

2.    The verse that I have chosen for the Key Verse of this lesson is 1 Corinthians 13:11.

 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 

a.    There are childish traits and behaviors that do not need to be carried over into adulthood.

b.    In this lesson, we want to look at some childish practices that adult Christians need to rid from their lives.

 

I.             UNDERSTANDING/KNOWLEDGE

 

A.   Let’s go back to 1 Corinthians 14:20 that was used in our first lesson.

 

Brethren, do not be children in understanding:  howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

 

1.    Do not be children in understanding.

2.    In understanding be men.

 

B.   One of the questions that children ask all of the time is:  “Why?” 

1.    Parents believe they ask this question simply to annoy.

2.    Often they ask the question because they have not developed their understanding.

 

C.   Other verses that encourage us to get understanding.

1.    Proverbs 4:5a

 

Get wisdom, get understanding…

 

2.    Proverbs 4:7

 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

3.    Proverbs 16:16

 

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!  and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

 

D.   Solomon was not a talker when it came to wisdom.

1.    When he became king, God said he would grant to Solomon anything he desired.

a.    Power

b.    Wealth

c.    Popularity

d.    A world-wide kingdom

2.    He rejected all of these things and requested wisdom (1 Kings 1:9).

 

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern good and bad;  for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

 

II.           SELFISHNESS

 

A.   Selfish: 

1.    Devoted to or caring only for oneself

2.    Concerned primarily with one’s own interests

 

B.   Children are extremely selfish:  food, candy, or a toy.

 

C.   It is easy to deceive ourselves into believing we are not selfish when we really still have selfishness coursing through our veins.

1.    We are unselfish when we want to be.

2.    We are unselfish to a select group of people.

3.    We are unselfish whenout needs do not need to be fulfilled.

 

D.   Watch what happens when I do not want to be unselfish, or, I need to be unselfish to a group of people I do not care for, or, when I desperately want my needs to be fulfilled.

 

E.   Verses:

1.    1 Corinthians 10:24

 

Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

 

2.    1 Corinthians 13:5

 

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.

 

3.    Philippians 2:3

 

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 

III.         IRRESPONSIBLE

 

A.   Children are not always responsible.

1.    Clean your room.

2.    Cut the grass.

3.    Do your homework.

4.    Go to bed on time.

5.    Be home at a certain hour.

 

B.   As Christians, we should never be irresponsible.

1.    Luke 12:47

 

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

 

2.    Luke 16:10

 

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:  and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

 

3.    James 4:17

 

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

C.   The responsible Christian:

1.    Stands at his post.

2.    Fulfills his obligations.

3.    Honor his promises.

4.    Completes his assignments.

5.    Does what he is supposed to do, and often, even more.

 

IV.         GIVEN TO STRIFE

 

A.   Kids have a tendency to bicker, argue, and fight with each other.

1.    Has any mother been heard to say this:  “The kids have been fighting all day!”

2.    I have heard brothers and sisters describe their growing up by saying:  “We fought like cats and dogs.”

 

B.   This can happen among Christians (1 Cor. 3:1-3).

 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk and not with meat:  for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal:  for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

 

C.   It is easy for brethren to bicker and fight over the smallest little matters.

1.    A color of paint

2.    An honor bestowed on another person

3.    A missed visit

4.    One piece of information not communicated effectively

5.    The way another person does something

6.    A long sermon

7.    A long prayer

 

D.   James tells us where envy and strife come from (James 3:14-16).

 

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 

V.           DISRESPECT

 

A.   Yeah.  Naw.  Yep.  Move. Give it to me.  Every parent has heard words like these come from their child’s mouth.  They may have responded with:  “Don’t you ‘yep’ me!”

 

B.   It seems as if disrespect is a common practice.

1.    In the workplace

2.    On social media

3.    In the politics of our world

4.    Of the young toward the old

5.    Between races and cultures

 

C.   Disrespect of one’s fellowman involves several sins.

1.    A lack of proper honor, especially for those in authority (Matt. 15:4).

2.    A lack of love for one’s fellowman (Matt. 5:22)

3.    An improper use of the tongue (James 3:8-10).

 

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 

VI.         FEAR

 

A.   It does not take much for children to become fearful.

1.    Due to fear, they are paralyzed from moving forward.

2.    Due to fear, they flee from the enemy.

3.    Due to fear, they often get hurt.

4.    Due to fear, they do not grow and mature.

 

B.   Christians cannot be fearful like little children.  We must be strong, bold, and of a good courage (1 Cor. 16:13).

 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like man, be strong.

 

C.   Examples in the Bible:

1.    Moses was bold before Pharaoh.

2.    Joshua was commanded to have courage.

3.    David manifested courage in the presence of Goliath.

4.    Esther was courageous in approaching King Ahasuerus.

5.    Peter and John were bold in the presence of the Jewish council.

 

D.   Fear does not bring victory.  It only hastens defeat.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There is an old adage:  “Kids will be kids.”  It is used to excuse the childish, immature, and sometimes evil behavior of children.

 

B.   Christians do not have the luxury of immature, childish, evil behavior.

 

C.   Kids may be kids, but Christians need to be Christians.