It was usual for my younger daughter to demand that we buy her some snacks each time we go out. It does not matter if she was given snack before leaving the house. She would cry for more, especially when we pass the grocery store. But as she grew older, she stopped the act. I remember her saying one day that; “Daddy, I’m a big girl now, I no longer cry for snacks.”
Friend, when you outgrow some things, it would show in the way you live. You would stop crying for things. IT IS TYPICAL OF CHILDREN TO NEGOTIATE THEIR WAY THROUGH CRYING. ADULTS NEGOTIATE THROUGH REASONING AND RESPONSIBILITY. They understand that life does not respond to emotion but to understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20).
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU WANT TO AND WHAT YOU OUGHT TO (Hebrews 5:11-14). The former is connected to your emotion and comfort, the latter is connected to maturity and purpose. The fact that you want it does not mean you should have it. There are things you need to outgrow if you would fulfil destiny (1 Corinthians 13:11).
GOD WANTS US TO BE CHILD-LIKE, NOT CHILDISH. CHILDLIKENESS IS A VIRTUE, CHILDISHNESS IS A BURDEN. The attitude of a child is different from the immaturity of a child. God wants us to trust Him as children but live responsibly as His sons and daughters (Isaiah 9:6-7, Mark 10:15). We must move from childishness to maturity while remaining child-like.
Notice that the Bible tied the works of the flesh to childishness (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). CHILDREN GRAPPLE WITH WORKS OF THE FLESH, MATURE PEOPLE MANIFEST THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. Spirituality is not the same as maturity. You can blast in tongues and still keep offence in your heart. You can prophesy and still backbite.
GROWTH IS NOT AUTOMATIC; IT IS INTENTIONAL. You don’t just grow by counting years in the Faith, you grow by maximizing the Holy Spirit and the investments of Heaven (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:13-14). You need to list out the things you must outgrow, and intentionally work on them. DON’T EXCUSE YOUR MISBEHAVIORS. GROW UP!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria