God Desires Heart of a Child and Mind of an Adult

by Chris Banescu –
God desires that we should have the innocence and wonder of a child, and the courage and wisdom of an adult.

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,” Christ reminds us. In becoming like children, God wants us to be childlike, not childish. The Apostle Paul warns believers to stay away from childish behavior, “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” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

To be childish is to be selfish and self-centered. To be childish is to be immature and refuse maturity. To be childish is to behave inappropriately. To be childish is to avoid responsibilities. To be childish is to seek instant gratification without regard to the needs of others or the long-term consequences of one’s actions. To be childish is to act foolishly.

To be childlike is to have faith and trust in God. To be childlike is to be innocent and humble. To be childlike is to love unconditionally. To be childlike is to be honest, simple, and teachable. To be childlike is to always have a sense of wonder and awe of God’s presence and creation. To be childlike is to be thankful for God’s love and gifts.

Christ also wants us to be wise and courageous, like mature and responsible adults. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The Lord “wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim,” writes C.S. Lewis.

God desires that we use all the unique talents and abilities He’s given each of us to bear witness to the Truth and fight the good fight. Christ wants us to use our hands and our minds for good works. “God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than of any other slackers. If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you you are embarking on something which is going to take the whole of you, brains and all,” cautions Lewis.

The call to embrace wisdom is as old as mankind. God has continually called man to seek wisdom and understanding. Both the Old and New Testament bear witness to this:

• “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:6-7).
• “To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (Proverbs 16:16).
• “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good” (Proverbs 19:8).
• “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
• “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
• “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity” (James 3:17).
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

The more childlike we become, the closer we can come to Christ. The more childlike we are, the more teachable we become, helping us to discover, understand, and acquire the wisdom of God. The more childlike we remain, the easier it will be for us to welcome, hear, and heed the Word of God who speaks into our hearts and souls through the Holy Spirit.

And when the Holy Spirit acts and operates in us, we are transformed in body, mind, and spirit. The river of living water flowing forth from God the Father illumines our hearts and souls. “Anyone who is honestly trying to be a Christian will soon find his intelligence being sharpened: one of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself,” observes C.S. Lewis. That is why, throughout the ages, so many faithful Christians who lacked a formal education or high academic degrees displayed godly wisdom and courage, and accomplished remarkable feats that amazed the whole world and transformed entire civilizations.