Childlike Faith vs. Childish Faith

Christian Working Woman Transcript

Friday, August 03, 2007 - Childlike Faith vs. Childish Faith

Have you ever met an adult who was childish? A person who is supposed to be grown up but yet behaves in childish ways is not someone we admire. Yet, many Christians have never grown up in their faith and their walk with God has many childish characteristics.

Peter wrote: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2-3).

But in Hebrews we read: Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:13-14).

How would you describe faith that lives on milk? Well, these types of Christians are those who run from one person to another, one church to another, one event to another, looking for a new experience or seeking Christian entertainment. They want easy-to-digest teaching rather than in-depth study of God’s Word.

Another trait of childish faith is that it is rooted in emotionalism instead of being rooted in truth. Emotions are fine; they are God-given gifts which we need. But if your faith is based on your feelings, it is a childish faith. It runs hot and cold, just like your feelings do. Childish faith is often a roller-coaster ride–up one day, down the next.

Christians living on milk are those who have no structured Bible study plan in their lives. They are no further in their walk with God this year than they were last year.

Immature, childish faith is characterized by being easily discouraged and giving up quickly. It expects to be served rather than to serve. Childish faith expects the church to meet its needs, instead of looking for ways to minister to others.

The Apostle Paul said that when he became a man, he put away childish things. I urge you to seriously pray for a child-like faith, and dedicate yourself to putting away the childish things. You don’t want to stay in that childish mode. You want to grow up in Christ to full maturity and have a faith that has wonderful child-like qualities, but is not childish.