No Longer Children

That we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive….

Ephesians 4:14

Spiritual maturity brings wisdom and discernment.  As we understand more of the truth which God reveals to us as the Holy Spirit enables us to become more like Christ, we are better able to separate truth from falsehood, honesty from deceit, and fact from fiction.  This is especially important in spiritual matters.  Paul is keenly interested in the spiritual maturity of his Ephesian children in the faith.  He wants them to become spiritually mature so they are ‘no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.’  If we carefully consider many things which people say upon spiritual matters and compare what they are saying to the Scriptures, we come to the conclusion that not everything said is good and right.  In fact, to follow some of those assertions to their logical and moral conclusion will lead to spiritual devastation.  Christ, and by context Paul, would have us be spiritually mature enough to discern between that which is right and that which is wrong.  This discernment will preserve us from many heartaches and much damage.  As we look to Christ today, let us ask for this wisdom and spiritual discernment that by all means we may ‘be no longer children.’

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice that You work in us spiritual maturity,
by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
We praise You that as we grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
we become no longer children.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning