“That’s So Mature!”
I will confess to having heard that more times than I can count, especially in my younger days and probably always from those of the female persuasion. It was, without exception, a statement dripping in sarcasm meant to point out the immaturity of what I said or did.
The Christian life should be marked by continual growth and development. That upward line is not strictly linear. We will take backward steps as we go forward. Yet, I have observed a pattern of spiritual immaturity from those capable of doing far better. Perhaps others have seen it in me, and the thought makes me cringe. There is a season in the Christian life to be a spiritual babe (1 Pet. 2:2), but eventually babes are supposed to grow up (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Heb. 5:14; 6:1). I could not give an exhaustive list, but consider a few ways in which we fail to show spiritual maturity.
Hypersensitivity. Certainly, we all have different personalities, but is hypersensitivity to be explained solely as a fate of personality? If so, then that would make one unaccountable for bad behavior done as part of personality. Could it not instead be a matter of free will and choice, where people choose to respond to ill-treatment or perceived slights by overreacting, sulking, pouting, and withdrawing? When someone pushing our button keeps us from serving our crucified Lord, doing our Christian duty, or reflecting the image of Christ to others, we had better consider growing up spiritually! Jesus, “While being reviled (i.e., “criticized and insulted in an abusive manner”), He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats” (1 Pet. 2:23). In the same context, Peter says, “Follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Jesus also taught that the religion of the spiritually mature was to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39).
Pressing Our Rights. A preacher, trying to make the point that scripture nowhere dictates that the preacher should wear a coat and tie, shows up to evening services in a Hawaiian shirt, bermuda shorts, and flip-flops. He really showed those uptight members! He really showed more than he intended. By running roughshod over the sensitivity of older or conservative members, he was a model of spiritual infancy. It is ironic that many who respond like this common senseless minister would boast of themselves as spiritually advanced, but they have missed a basic Christian principle about interacting with others and especially fellow-Christians. What about 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:28, or Romans 14:21?
A Careless Example. We know nothing of the temperament of Thaddeus or even Philip, but we get clear impressions that the apostle Peter was impetuous and sometimes lacking in discretion (Mark 9:5-6; Matt. 14:28; Matt. 26:33-35 and Matt. 26:69ff; Gal. 2:11ff). Whether or not Peter realized the power of his example, he illustrates the harm done by one poorly representing the Lord. The same can happen today. We may sorely underestimate the influence we have on the spiritually weak or babes in Christ. A careless word or deed may not only cause another to stumble (cf. Luke 17:1-2), it reveals our spiritual immaturity.
In all things, from biblical comprehension to Christian behavior, “let us press on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1). It is the natural progression that should occur in our Christian lives! The alternative is neither pretty nor admirable.
Neal Pollard