A child does not turn two on their second birthday. They turn two the day they first say “no.” Every parent knows that. We normally see the process of growing up as a quest for independence culminating in the teenage years - when things really get strange. Growing up spiritually takes a somewhat different path. To grow up spiritually, our thinking must mature while somehow maintaining our childlike innocence. Paul says it this way in his first letter to the Corinthians.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking.

Or consider the advice Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Let’s talk about Maturity

When the entertainment industry creates something for “mature” audiences, it does not refer to entertainment that will demand a high level of thought and experience to appreciate. It means it will be filled with foul language, violence, and probably sex. Our culture seems to equate maturity with the fantasy of having the ability to fill your mind with trash and walk away unaffected. By contrast, actual maturity is seeing past the lies and fantasies that this world is constantly trying to sell us. Maturity is being an infant in evil but a grown-up in your thinking.

A maturity that understands itself as savvy to evil is in reality - childish thinking. Like children pretending to be all grown up by smoking or using disgusting language. We all know this is not maturity. This is silliness in a child and stupidity in an adult. Yet, too often we tell ourselves that to be useful adults, we must keep up with all the latest forms of sin and wickedness, and that being mature is being aware. Aware, maybe, but is awareness the desire that draws us to these stories of evil? Or is it something else? How do we maintain the posture Paul describes as being “infants in evil” while being mature in our thinking?

Wise as Serpents - Innocent as Doves

Jesus draws this same line for his disciples but uses different words. Jesus is sending them out as “sheep in the midst of wolves,” so they must be wise enough to survive but not harmful like serpents. They must maintain their innocence while being wise to the danger around them. Danger takes many forms, and we are still sheep among wolves. Being wise to the danger and innocent of the evil that drives it is no small trick. We need God’s help just like the disciples did.

About those Wolves

I suspect the wolves Jesus warned his disciples about were external threats—people who meant to harm them because of their allegiance to Jesus. Thankfully, external threats to the church are still rare in the West, though sadly, they are increasing. The wolves we deal with daily are the ones who wish to devour our souls, one bite at a time. The ideas that drive the world are anti-Christian by nature and design. We try to resist, but our innocence is often lost in the process. Is there a way to be both wise and innocent?

This Week

With wars, elections, constant lies, and economic upheaval on all sides, it is easy to be overwhelmed and downright depressed. But we are not the first to suffer, nor are we alone in our suffering. I will leave you with a few thoughts from Paul to meditate on this week as we face the wolves together.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

 If then you have been raised with Christ,

We can be wise, harmless, and innocent as we walk together in Christ. But not without the Spirit of God and the help of the body of Christ. Let’s grow up together!

Have a great week!