Thinking

I Cor. 14:20

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Paul admonished the Corinthians to be mature in what they desired. Apparently, many people were desiring spiritual gifts (tongues) that did not build up the body and that were not understandable. Instead of this, Paul urged the people to desire a gift (prophesy) that edified the body, one that could be used to teach the body. The principle is that what you desire should be edifying to the body of believers and also to the world. Everything that I do is observable and sends a message. So consequently, Paul wanted the believers to think, think about the message that their life choices, actions, and attitudes were sending.

In what other realms would childlike thinking manifest itself? Perhaps, in offenses, hanging onto hurts and enlisting others to be on your side thus creating dissension in the body. What about feeling isolated within the body, not feeling like you belong? Or what about indulging fleshly desires that are not necessrily bad things but take away from time that you spend with God? What about excusing bad attitudes and actions as character flaws instead of considering them sin? There are so many that the list would be unending. What an exhortation! I need to always be aware of my thinking. Is it childlike or mature? Am I listening to the Spirit or to self?

Father,
Reveal to me the childlike thinking that has rooted itself in my life. Help me to be mature in You and listening to Your Spirit.
In Jesus name,
Amen