A Mature Understanding
I. Introduction:
A. Those who are immature see things differently than those who are mature (Deuteronomy 1:31-39).
- This is true physically (I Corinthians 13:11).
- It is also true spiritually (Ephesians 4:13-14).
B. In a spiritual sense, this can and often is an indictment (I Corinthians 3:1-3).
- It prevents learning (Hebrews 5:11-14).
- Carnality has to be dealt with to learn (I Peter 2:1-2).
- Then one has to be able to move on from the milk (Hebrews 6:1-2).
II. Body: I Corinthians 14:20
A. Your thinking matters in your relationship with God (Mark 12:28-34).
- Think about what was said to the saints in Ephesus and Colosse about their sinful pasts (Ephesians 2:1-3 and Colossians 1:21-23).
- Thus, the change of mind needs to take place (Ephesians 4:17-23).
B. Coming back to an earlier reference (Ephesians 4:13-14), notice what is said in the next verse (Ephesians 4:15).
- When someone is stuck in spiritual immaturity, are they really growing up (cf. Colossians 1:10 and II Peter 3:18)?
- What about when one matures in physical age, but their understanding is lacking (Job 32:1-9)?
- How about those who need to dumb down in one way so that they might grow up in another (I Corinthians 3:18-19)?
- Where will you get the right knowledge, wisdom, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6)?
C. With a mature understanding, you can have a great advantage in this world (Psalms 119:89-105).
- You see the world accurately (I John 5:19; cf. John 15:19 and James 4:4).
- Through God’s word (Psalms 19:7), you are not naive and thus are not such an easy target (Proverbs 14:15).
- You know there’s way to handle things because the world is full of recycled garbage (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
- You exercise proper judgment (Proverbs 18:13 and John 7:24).
- We could go on and on, but the fact remains that mature understanding through God’s word fully equips you if you apply it (II Timothy 3:14-17).
III. Conclusion: Be mature and understand that there is always more to learn (Proverbs 9:9). Be prudent [sensible] and act with knowledge (Proverbs 13:16) in the right ways (Proverbs 15:2).