#2 INFANTS IN EVIL
Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:20. “Brethren, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking.” (HCSB)
We often see and comment on how a child implicitly trusts their father and mother, in ways that an adult would not trust even a parent. Although sometimes that trust is misplaced, such is rare. And it is important, because the child does not always realize the danger offered by walking across a street or highway, listening to the blandishments of a stranger, or dealing with adult tools and equipment.
Children often try NOT to see evil, bad things, and do not look forward and consider what can go wrong. Yet, they are trusting and all too often, we as Christians think that it is this sort of childish behavior that we are to imitate. Paul corrects that misunderstanding in this passage. An adult anticipates and plans for things to go wrong, instead of just “hoping” that all will go right. Then (childlike), the adult does not think of evil to do to respond when things go wrong. It is not ungodly to take actions to avoid and respond to evil, whether physical or spiritual. Indeed, it is wisdom as God defines such. But like a little child, we should exhibit faith and be free of malice, and not acquiesce in evil deeds, either by submitting to them or allowing someone (or ourselves) to be forced into doing evil in return, as a result of the evil done to us.
Read also: Hebrews 5:12, 14, and 2 Peter 3:18.
Song: Children of the Heavenly King (http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/cofthehk.htm)
