The Marks of Immaturity

Parenting is a journey filled with surprises, frustrations, and countless moments of growth—both for the children and the parents. If you’re a parent, you’ll know what I mean. I have three kids, and when they were little, our household was a whirlwind of activity. Picture this: three kids under the age of three, all vying for attention, toys, and even spoons. Yes, spoons.

We had two unique spoons that our kids would constantly fight over. Why didn’t we just buy a third one? Honestly, I have no idea. But to our kids, those spoons were golden treasures, and they would argue about them as if the fate of the world depended on it. This kind of squabbling over something so insignificant is a perfect illustration of a larger issue: immaturity.

Immaturity often manifests in selfishness. It’s that “I want my way” mentality that leads to friction and division, whether it’s among siblings fighting over spoons or adults arguing about who controls the car’s Bluetooth. This kind of behavior, while amusing in children, becomes problematic when it persists into adulthood, especially within the context of spiritual maturity.

Not too long ago, we went on a family trip to the beach. My kids are now 18, 17, and 15—definitely not toddlers anymore. Yet, on the drive, two of them got into a heated discussion over who sat where in the car. You’d think we would have outgrown this by now, but apparently not. It was a stark reminder that immaturity isn’t just a phase; it’s something we all have to actively work against.

As children, we often fight over trivial things—who gets the best seat, who gets the most Cheetos, or who gets to play with a certain toy. But when these behaviors carry over into adulthood, they can manifest in more significant ways. The issues we see in our children—such as squabbling over insignificant things—can grow into more serious problems if left unchecked. For adults, this immaturity can create unnecessary disputes in relationships, workplaces, and even within the church.

This brings us to an important message found in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul addresses the church in Corinth, highlighting two major symptoms of spiritual immaturity: division and immorality. These issues were prevalent in the early church and, unfortunately, they continue to surface in our modern congregations as well.

Paul’s message is clear: divisions in the church over trivial matters are a sign of spiritual immaturity. Whether it’s arguing about worship styles, Bible translations, or theological stances, these disputes reveal a lack of spiritual growth. The problem isn’t having preferences; the problem arises when these preferences lead to division and strife. When our focus shifts from unity in Christ to being right about non-essential matters, we’ve missed the point.

Consider some of the debates that have divided churches over the years—debates over music styles, Bible translations, or even theological viewpoints. These issues, while important, should not overshadow our primary call to love and unity. Yet, all too often, they do. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians is just as relevant today as it was then: stop the quarreling and focus on what truly matters.

Let’s dive deeper into an example that many of us might find familiar. Have you ever heard of John Calvin? How about Jacobus Arminius? These two men developed theological views that have divided the church for over 500 years. Some say, “I’m with Calvin,” while others claim, “I’m with Arminius,” and both groups often believe their stance is superior.

But from God’s perspective, both sides are missing the point. If your theology leads to division rather than unity, then it’s not mature. There’s something lacking in your biblical maturity.

We’ve seen similar divisions in our own circles. Debates over hymns versus contemporary worship, for instance, have stirred more than a few pots. Music preferences, Bible versions, even theological nuances—these are all things that can cause division if we’re not careful. We need to remember that people are more valuable than our preferences. When we allow these issues to create divisions, we are displaying spiritual immaturity.

Paul’s teaching in Corinthians emphasizes that we cannot boast in ourselves because, without Christ, we are nothing. Our boasting should be in Christ alone, for He is everything. When we start to think we’re better than someone else because of our preferences or theological understanding, we’re already off track. We’re venturing into the realm of spiritual immaturity, and this will inevitably lead to division.

Let’s be honest: we’re all different, and that’s something to be celebrated, not a cause for division. The beauty of the body of Christ is that we bring our unique perspectives and gifts together to build something greater than ourselves. The church isn’t about uniformity; it’s about unity in diversity.

Paul’s message in Corinthians urges us to grow beyond our petty disputes and to focus on what truly matters—our unity in Christ. As we mature spiritually, we should be moving toward greater love, greater unity, and greater understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong; it’s about who we are becoming in Christ.

The second issue Paul addresses in Corinth is immorality, which is another glaring indicator of immaturity. Just as children struggle with self-control, so do spiritually immature individuals. The adult version of childish behavior often manifests as a lack of moral integrity, leading to serious consequences not just for the individual but for the entire church community.

Paul’s stern words to the Corinthians regarding sexual immorality are a wake-up call for us today. He points out that the kind of immorality present in the Corinthian church was so egregious that even the surrounding pagan culture wouldn’t tolerate it. And yet, the church was proud instead of sorrowful. This pride in sin is a sign of deep immaturity and a lack of understanding of what it means to live a life that honors God.

Immorality, in its various forms, is like a stain that, if left unaddressed, spreads and corrupts the entire community. It’s the adult equivalent of the childish squabbles over spoons—only the stakes are much higher. When we engage in immoral behavior, we not only harm ourselves but also damage our witness and the integrity of the church.

Paul’s solution to these issues is simple yet profound: we must be influenced by the Spirit rather than by our flesh. This requires intentional, daily spiritual investment. It’s about feeding our spiritual side so that it grows stronger and helps us overcome our fleshly desires.

In essence, spiritual maturity is about growing up. It’s about valuing people more than our preferences, and God’s glory more than our comfort. It’s a journey of continually moving closer to God’s way of thinking, where love and unity are prioritized over being right or getting our way.

Imagine what our communities and churches would look like if we all took this to heart. What if we truly allowed the Spirit to guide our actions and decisions, rather than our fleshly desires? The petty squabbles would diminish, and the focus would shift to what truly matters—honoring God and loving one another.

So, let’s take a moment to reflect. Are there areas in our lives where we are still spiritually immature? Are we allowing trivial matters to cause division, or are we lacking in self-control? The call to maturity is a call to grow in love, unity, and holiness. Let’s embrace this challenge and strive to mature in our faith, for the sake of God’s kingdom and His glory.

The message of 1 Corinthians, although rich with many teachings, carries an overarching theme: “Grow up.” But this call to maturity is not harsh or condemning; rather, it’s a loving invitation from God to become more like Him. Growing up in faith means learning to value what God values, to love what He loves, and to live in a way that reflects His character.

God is calling us to maturity, saying, “Value people more than you value your stuff, more than you value your ideas, more than you value your opinions. Love what God loves more than pleasure.” This journey toward maturity is ongoing. There is always room to grow, but the key is to be moving in that direction continually.

As we grow in spiritual maturity, we begin to see the world through God’s eyes. We start to understand that the things we once thought were so important—like who gets the good spoon—are trivial in the grand scheme of things. We learn to focus on what truly matters: loving God, loving others, and living in a way that honors Him.

Let’s move forward together, embracing the call to maturity. Let’s be willing to lose some of our preferences, our comforts, and our petty grievances, so that we can gain something far greater—a deeper relationship with God and a stronger, more united community of believers. After all, growing up in faith isn’t just about us; it’s about reflecting God’s love to the world around us.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14:20 resonate strongly: “Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking, be mature.” Let’s develop His way of thinking, love what He loves, and strive to be mature in our faith. This is the journey God is calling us to—a journey of growing up in every way into Christ, who is the head of the church.

As we navigate this journey together, let’s remember that maturity in Christ is not just about avoiding sin or adhering to doctrine; it’s about embodying the love, grace, and unity that Jesus demonstrated. It’s about moving from selfishness to selflessness, from division to unity, from immaturity to maturity in every aspect of our lives. This is the true mark of spiritual growth, and it’s what will ultimately bring glory to God and strengthen His church.

So, let’s commit to growing up in our faith, not just individually, but as a community. Let’s encourage each other, hold each other accountable, and strive together to become more like Christ. In doing so, we will not only avoid the pitfalls of immaturity but also reflect the love and unity that God desires for His people. This is our calling, and it’s a journey worth taking.