RIGHT or WRONG? Christian maturity

Posted: 10/27/06

RIGHT or WRONG?
Christian maturity

In 1 Corinthians 13:11, the Apostle Paul compares and contrasts his behavior as a child and an adult. But is it possible that people mature in some ways and not in others? Would this explain why some demonstrate great strength in their profession, but their sense of ethical judgment remains almost preadolescent?

We’ve all met the person you describe. It seems incredibly contradictory for someone to demonstrate strength and ability in one area of life but not in another. Vivid reminders of this contradiction flash before us each time a highly visible minister, politician or Fortune 500 CEO lands in the middle of a legal or ethical scandal. These examples leave us asking how someone so knowledgeable, skilled and educated in their profession could make such poor ethical and moral choices. The fifth chapter of Hebrews speaks about these people who show great strength in some areas of life but not in others. The writer specifically speaks to those who have had plenty of time to mature but have not yet demonstrated maturity in their ethical judgment.

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

In this passage, the writer describes a group that has failed to mature in their application of God’s word. These adults were mature in some matters. In fact, the writer assumes they should now be ready to teach the truths of God’s word and to assist others in this decision-making. Instead, the writer refers to them not just as preadolescent in their judgment, but as infantile. Unable to grapple with the difficulties of good and evil, the readers are immature and ready only for repetition of elementary truths.

The author of Hebrews goes on to provide a clue as to why some people are so strong in one area (like their profession) and not in others (like their ethical judgment). He says that the difference lies in “constant use.” But what does that mean?

How does one excel in a particular profession? Training, education and experience are the keys to becoming proficient in a job, a hobby or a skill. The writer of Hebrews insists ethical judgment is the result of those same endeavors. It is through training and constant use of the truths of God’s word that we can become mature. Unfortunately, there are things we do to impede this maturation process.

First, in an attempt to help young or new believers mature more quickly, it is easy to provide quick answers regarding right and wrong. In doing so, we fail to equip them in the “constant use” of God’s word. As the church, we have a responsibility to equip new believers to distinguish for themselves between good and evil. Second, each of us has a responsibility to work to become fully acquainted with teaching on righteousness (Hebrews 5:13). We must continue to apply the word we have been taught in order to become mature and able to discern between good and evil. In doing so, we can avoid becoming the contradictory examples of maturity that you describe.

Emily Row, team leader/coordinator leader

Communications/spiritual formation specialist

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Dallas

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.