When we talk about love and we want Bible advice on what love really looks like we often refer to Paul’s writings in 1st Corinthians 13.
After 10 verses of explaining true love, we read this in verse 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.”
I believe in order to discover God’s wonderful powerful life-changing love one must be willing to put away childish behaviour.
There is puppy love and even our version of love but they can both be destroyed when we revert back to responding in immature ways.
To have heavenly love or mature love in any long-term relationship one must be willing to stop acting like a baby to get their own way.
In your last disagreement with someone did you use any childish mind games to win the argument? Did you scream, swear, screw up your face and then give them the silent treatment?
Paul said it was normal when he was a child to think, act and speak like a child but in order to become a man he had to put away certain things.
I’ve said to couples who were trying to resolve some conflict, “you’re acting like two little kids in a sandbox.”
You said this and you did that, well you started it! It’s cute when you’re two to have a baby bottle in your mouth but there’s something wrong when you’re 52 and we have to part the moustache to insert the bottle.
The Bible tells us that it’s impossible to do life without having conflict and Jesus said that offences must come.
The fact that you have been hurt and offended doesn’t make you special, it only means you’re living a real normal life. The question is not did you ever have a problem but how did you handle the problems you had?
Watch this, conflict always requires correction and when correction comes across as criticism it usually leads to the destruction of the relationship. Before someone leaves you with their body they will first dismiss you with their mind.
In hurtful conflict you have the right to be angry and you have the right to say something but you must be careful not to say the wrong thing.
Proverbs says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Everything that God does to move us from an old place to a new place is done by Him ordering our steps.
Paul wanted to grow up and discover true love so God lead him to put away childish behaviour every time he was treated wrong.
As we sail through the uncertain waters of life we all can be certain of one thing, we all start of as babies and need to grow up.
Offences come to the just and the unjust, the rich and the poor, the male and the female, and to the young and the old.
We can be so easily offended when it comes to finance, marriage, raising children, in the workplace, and even in trying to gracefully grow old. Just because we can’t avoid conflict it doesn’t mean that we can’t put away acting and reacting wrong.
Noah built an ark and while the storm destroyed others he and his family stayed safe. Noah couldn’t avoid the problem but he could get ready to face the problem.
Take a moment to examine your heart. Is there any room for improvement? Is there anything in you that you need to put away?
I believe God created you on purpose for a purpose and your best days are yet to come.
I pray that you discover a higher level of living and Jesus fills you with His love, joy, and peace. May I decree and declare over you great physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
God bless you all.
Kevin Mattatall is the pastor of the Cape Breton Christian Fellowship Church.
