#Day191: 10 July 2016, Sunday

GROW UP

By: Ps. Eddy Chang

1 Cor 13:11 - "When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things"

God wants us to be a childlike: innocent, trustful and humble in learning and listening to advise (words of God). But God do not want us to be childish.

"Childish" in Greek is Nepios which means a baby, small or young, yet grow up. It is important for us to remind ourselves about our state. In this uplifting time, it is very important to understand the aspect of being an adult, a grown up.

There are 3 areas of growing up:

1. In Words:

• What, Quality (how, why)
• When we were a child, the words we use sometimes unclear, unstructured. But when we grew up, we need to remember that we are representing the Kingdom of God in this world. Our usage of words is very important.
• Are we using a positive and encouraging words (OR) are we using a negative and destructing words.
• Remember in Mat 12:36-37 - "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

2. In Feelings (Emotional State):

• Same goes with feelings or mood or our emotional state. Are we stable or emotional?
• Are we an Emotional baby?
  • Over dependent - inability to make own decision
  • Low delay gratification - ability to "delay" their desire of wanting
  • Low social sense - only think about themselves
  • Impulsive - inability to have strategic longterm plan, always want to be praise
• In this era, researched says that the young population has an increased IQ (5-15 points, tons of MBA, increased technology hence information gathering) but yet a lower EQ (lowered by 2% in 2011 to 2014). This is due to lack of face to face communication and interaction.
• We need to start thinking the balance between IQ and EQ!

 
3. In Thoughts

• As a child, our thoughts are shallow, weak and with limited fact base or understanding
• Strong reason drives strong commitment, and commitment drives a good result.
• But when there is lack of reason / weak, it produce weak commitment hence lack of result.
• As an adult, we should have a strong reason, strong commitment and be fruitful.

Now, the question is: How about my words, feeling and thoughts? Are we childlike or are we childish?

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:3-4 NLT

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #growup