Word Study: Childish

BYTES~ Word Study: Childish

By Meaghan Spies

Childish

1 Corinthians 13:11 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 (mature in the things of God), I put away childish things.

Nepios is the Greek word for childish. Nepios literally means not-speaking; a babe; a simple minded person; an immature; to act as a babe; that is, innocently; untaught and unskilled. 

What Does God Have To Say About Childishness?

1 Corinthians 13:11 in the INT reads as follows:

When I was a nepios (or child) I was speaking like a nepios, I was thinking like a nepios, I was reasoning like a nepios. When I became a man, I did away with the things of the nepios.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, is pointing us in a certain direction, the direction of victory and maturity through Christ Jesus in this verse. When tells us at which time. So Paul is saying that at one time in his life he spoke, thought and reasoned as a child. He was not necessarily referring to a particular age, as being two years old. Paul was referring to a time before he matured spiritually, or grew up, in the things of God; a time before his mind was renewed by the Word of God through meditating the Word, studying the Word, praying the Word, obeying the Word and applying the Word to his life. The more time we spend with God in His Word, the more we obey His Word and His Spirit, the more we will mature in the things of God.

Hebrews 5:8-14 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey Him; Called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.

 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat.

For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

God does not want His children to remain infants forever. Parents want their children to become mature, respected and valuable members of society. God wants that for us, His children, too. But it is up to us whether we will put away nepios, or childish, things and so grow up and mature in the things of God so He can use our lives to further His Kingdom here on earth. 

Let us look at some of the characteristics of both Spiritual Babies and Mature Believers. 

Characteristics of Spiritual Babies

God calls those who are still infants spiritually, babes. Spiritual babies are:

Impressionable

Impulsive. They live by what they see and how they feel, and not by the Truth and Light of the Word. 

Immature

Impatient

Easily influenced and swayed by worldly opnions

Ruled by their flesh. Prone to jealousy and outbursts of anger. 

Still full of pride and arrogance 

Divisive. Likes exclusive clubs in the church. 

Open to deception

Do not spend much time in the Word

Are unskilled in the Word of righteousness 

Are self-absorbed (It's all about me!)

Very little Fruit of the Spirit seen in their lives 

Unable to teach others how to increase in the knowledge of God 

Always boasting of their achievements with little or no reference to God

Controlled by bodily appetites and desires; gossipers who are skilled at criticism and laughing behind others backs, etc. 

Characteristics of Mature Believers

They walk by faith and not by sight.

They are led by the Spirit, and not by their flesh. 

The opinions of the world do not move them. God's Word is their compass in life. 

They are able to discern both good and evil. They are not taken in by titles or show-offs. 

They can teach others how to increase in the knowledge of God. 

They obey God, His Word and His Holy Spirit in all things. 

Their minds are constantly being renewed through the Word to view life through God's eyes. 

They spend alot of time reading, studying, praying and meditating the Bible under the Rabbiship of the Holy Spirit. 

They pray for and search out shepherds after God's own heart, and do not follow immature, arrogant, always-angry pastors or leaders. 

Gods Will

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to  be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29 NKJV

God, as we can see through this Scripture, does not want His children to remain in a childish state in speaking, in thinking or in their reasoning. God's will is for us to be more and more like Jesus. We have to grow in the Spirit to the point where we obey Holy Spirit instantly, and to where we are able to discern both good and evil easily; to where we are conformed more and more to the image of Jesus. 

God wants us to win in life, to know how to use the Word wisely to win every battle, to overcome the flesh so that we can have and enjoy all the good things He has in store for us. But while we are nepios, still childish in our ways, God cannot entrust too much to us because He knows it will destroy us. 

What Will You Choose To Be? 

Which list did you relate to more, Spiritual Baby, or Mature Believer? In other words, which list listed more characteristics of who you are?

We all could do with some improvement in some areas. Those areas you need improvement in, do not just leave it and deceive yourself with the words, I'm only human, after all! That's not mature behaviour. That is nepios, childish, not realizing nor acknowledging that Yes, you are human, but the Greater One, the One who can make you all God said you could be, lives in you! 

Instead, bring your weaknesses and character flaws before the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to strengthen you to put away those nepios, those childish, things so you can become a mature child of God, ready and obedient, prepared for the Lord! 

Meaghan Spies © 2022