“Then he [Jesus] said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4 God’s Word).

But Paul said, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11 God’s Word).

Paul also pointed out that, “Brothers and sisters, I couldn’t talk to you as spiritual people but as people still influenced by your corrupt nature. You were infants in your faith in Christ. I gave you milk to drink. I didn’t give you solid food because you weren’t ready for it. Even now you aren’t ready for it” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 God’s Word).

Okay, thinkers and noticers. Something doesn’t add up here.

Jesus wants us to be child-like. Children trust their good parents. Children learn, at varied rates, but they do. Children depend entirely on their parents for food, clothing, shelter. A baby has no defense against the world except the adults around them. They love and are lovable.

Paul warns against being childish. That can mean not sharing, selfish, egotistical to an extreme, ignorant of careful thought, demanding and thoughtless.

Not a contradiction then.

A choice.

See Also

Grow Up