Grow Upنموونە

We could have spent two weeks in 1 Corinthians 12-14 alone, given its beautiful harmony of theological insight and application about growing in spiritual maturity. But I’ve drawn our attention to just one sentence within the apostle Paul’s broader discussion about the gifts of prophecy and tongues. This little pearler jumped out at me for the unusual way it encourages us to grow up. 

On the one hand, we shouldn’t want to remain as youngsters when it comes to considering what builds up (14:12) and edifies (14:19) our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul urges our Spirit-fired thinking to be adult while also imploring us to be infants about evil. I take it he means inexperienced or underdeveloped, as if we are little children who have not had much time or opportunity to encounter something. 

Navigating life through Christian growth must be mature and juvenile, in the ratio outlined by 1 Corinthians 14:20.

QUESTION: What might need to change in you to become like an infant when it comes to evil?