Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.
An Identity Crisis Hurts Men and Families
Be Childlike, Not Immature: Embracing Childlike Faith and Humility
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25 NIV).
One of the most cherished Scriptures in the Bible is, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus clearly demonstrated a deep love for children. He wants us to embrace childlike faith and humility because children are naturally eager to learn. As followers of God, we must strive to know Him and seek His face through study, worship, tithing, prayer, and service.
Jesus encourages us to be willing listeners, eager learners, and open to suggestions and corrections from others. Proverbs 12:15 teaches, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” A teachable spirit recognizes that no one can know everything about every subject. Life is too short to learn solely from personal experience—it’s wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
The Greatness of Childlike Faith and Humility
Jesus likens greatness to childlikeness. Anyone approaching Him must do so with absolute childlike faith and humility. Jesus lovingly referred to His disciples as “my children” (John 13:33), and the apostle John extends this affectionate address to us as well. Proverbs 15:12 states, “Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.” Pride makes us act like we know it all, which is not a fruit of the Spirit—it’s immature and the opposite of childlike faith and humility.
A true disciple of Jesus follows Him in complete dependency and humility, seeking to bring others—regardless of age—closer to Him. This is the essence of childlike faith and humility. Jesus’ embrace of His disciples as “my children” is a reminder of the loving relationship He desires with us.
Choosing Humility Over Pride
What is our response when someone shows us a better way or points out a mistake? Do we respond graciously, appreciating their guidance, or do we become defensive? Each of us faces a choice: to be humble and receptive to learning and correction, or to remain immature and prideful.
God loves all of His children, regardless of their maturity, but He desires us to be teachable. He wants us to continually learn about Him as He reveals Himself to us. To keep learning about God, we must maintain a childlike heart. The more we understand Him, the more we comprehend His will for our lives and the joy that awaits us when we live in the Spirit.
Prayer: Dear God: Thank you for being our Good Father. May we always approach you with the curiosity of children that seek to be clay in your hands. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We welcome your comments below.
Liked this post?
Read more below or search for more topics...
-
Showing God on Valentine’s Day
Showing God on Valentine's Day “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8. ESV). Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.As the calendar turns to February, we often think of the perfect present... -
Anger Can Be Good
Anger Can Be Good "Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back" (Proverbs 29:11 NLT). Many people think that all anger is bad or sinful. We tend to associate anger with a loss of control, shouting, and aggressive behavior. However, anger can be good and only becomes sinful when it is expressed in an inappropriate way. There is nothing wrong with anger if it is properly directed. We are taught, “In your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). We are less likely to model Godly behavior, and sin, if we are controlled by our anger rather than we control... -
What Is The Meaning Of “Iron Sharpens Iron”?
What Is The Meaning of "Iron Sharpens Iron"? I am a volunteer with a national men’s ministry known as “Iron Sharpens Iron.” The name of our group is based on Proverb 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Iron Sharpens Iron is a Conference Network made up of individual ministries that are working interdependently to most effectively offer local church resources for men.This group is accomplishing this by mobilizing ministries to resource local churches with a first-class one-day equipping conference that is designed for men age 13 and older. These one-day conferences bring in world-class speakers to address...