Putting Away Childish Things

By:  Dale Weckbacher

1 Corinthians 13:11

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

NKJV

In God’s perspective, everyone choosing to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior is a child of God (John 1:12).  We can therefore conclude that in the sight of God we are always going to be His children.  However, this does not mean we are to acting as children and doing childish things for as 1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us, we are to mature and put away childish things. 

Unfortunately, in our world we observe much childish behavior among grownups that should have matured.  In fact, much of this childish behavior is in full display in sports, media, and politics.  For example,

1)      The last play of the Super Bowl results in a fight (1)  – After what I believe was the greatest Super Bowl I can remember, a fight broke out.  Granted, it was the Super Bowl and the players were engaged in an epic battle, but this is no different from the battles we all face in our daily lives, except for the fact that the players are doing their front of millions of people.  We would expect the behavior of these highly paid professionals to be more mature in light of the fact that among the millions of viewers are impressionable children.  I encourage the players that instigated this fight to consider whether this is the example they want to portray to these impressionable youths. 

2)      Hollywood jealous of the success of American Sniper (2)  – In a year filled with Hollywood bombs, the movie American Sniper was a surprising success.  Surprising to Hollywood, but not surprising to those of us in tune with the American public.  Rather than being mature and realizing that the content and subject matter of movies matter to the public, Michael Moore and others in the Hollywood elite have chosen to lash out at Chris Kyle, a man who fearlessly risked, and sacrificed his life to others.  Once again, we see an example of immature behavior among public figures providing a bad example for impressionable youths to follow.

3)      Democrat members of Congress threaten to boycott Netanyahu speech before a joint session of Congress (3)  – Each election cycle voters go to the polls to select those that will represent them in Congress.  There is always an expectation, at least among those choosing to inform themselves about the issues of the day, that these leaders will conduct themselves in a mature matter.  This maturity includes respecting a leader from another country, invited by the Speaker of the House to speak before Congress even if they do not agree with his policies.  Failure of some Congresspersons to attend the Netanyahu speech before congress only shows the world how immature some of the leaders in Congress can be. 

When in individual is engaged in professional sports, entertainment, or a political leader, they are under the microscope and their actions are viewed by millions across the world.  1 Corinthians 13:11 calls on all of us to mature and act in a mature manner.  However, those in the public eye, viewed by millions, have an even bigger responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature manner. 

I believe it is high time for all of us to put away childish things and behaviors.  We face major challenges in our world and childish behavior only distracts us from finding solutions to these problems.  It is time for all of us, especially those in the public eye, to grow up. 

1. Sports Illustrated. Fight breaks out between Patriots, Seahawks at end of Super Bowl XLIX. www.si.com. [Online] Sports Illustrated, February 1, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/01/super-bowl-2015-fight-video-patriots-seahawks?xid=si_nfl.

2. PTI, Los Angeles. Michael Moore lashes out at American Sniper, says snipers are cowards. www.hindustantimes.com. [Online] hindustantimes, January 19, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/michael-moore-lashes-out-at-american-sniper-says-snipers-are-cowards/article1-1308354.aspx.

3. Benson, Guy. Crack Up: Some Democrats Threaten Boycott of Netanyahu Speech. m.townhall.com. [Online] Townhall.com, February 4, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] m.townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2015/02/04/fracture-some-dems-weigh-boycott-of-netanyahu-speech-n1952719.