Article by Kevin Carson
Have you ever been accused of being a big baby? Recently I was complaining about getting a bunch of vaccinations for an upcoming trip and someone suggested I was a big baby. We both laughed and in reality I was playing it up anyway. However, the accusation of being a big baby is not funny when the person means it.
Now consider yourself spiritually. Has anyone ever insinuated that you are a baby Christian. Is it possible that you are an immature Christian? What about a carnal Christian? In reality, all three terms (baby, immature, carnal) are the same. Furthermore, to be called any of the three or to be any of the three is significant.
What is an immature, baby, or carnal Christian?
An immature, baby, or carnal Christian is one driven by his or her own personal desires more than the Spirit working through the Word of God. This Christian walks in the flesh as against walking in the Spirit (1 Cor 3:1-4; Heb 5:12-14; Gal 5:16-26; James 3:13-18). The Apostle Paul describes this person as one dominated by envy, strife, and one that promotes division. One who behaves like an unregenerate person.
How does an unregenerate person (i.e., unbeliever, fallen man, natural man) behave? This person is dominated by the flesh or pleasing self rather than having any influence of the Spirit working in his or her life. Paul does not say that this person is an unregenerate person; rather, this person acts like an unbeliever. In other words, this person is driven by the flesh in one way or another. Often, sad to say, this person is also self-deceived as to their own maturity.
The heartbreak of every pastor
As Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians, he deals with multiple issues related to sin, selfishness, and a general lack of godliness among these followers of Christ. He desires to help these followers of Christ in specific areas better honor God. However, he laments, “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal” (1 Cor 3:2-3). They were still babes in Christ and had not grown into maturing adults.
Every pastor grieves over those in the congregation who fail to grow in Christ. How sad on many levels – again, especially when the person is self-deceived into believing that he or she is mature (1 Cor 3:18). Often it is in a particular area of spiritual blindness where the Christian has allowed various levels of idolatry to develop. These believers are being driven by the flesh, primarily concerned with what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. Much of the consumer-driven, have-it-my-way, this-is-what’s-best-for-me mindset among Christians reflect this.
Pastors desire the followers of Christ under their care to self-sacrificially love and serve each other as Christ does the church. This takes place through the self-sacrifice of practicing the one-anothers in the Scripture on every level of relationship. Many homes struggle because of carnality. Many Christians struggle maintaining faithful and service-oriented church attendance because of this.
What grieves pastors most is the fact that we understand God intended the church to be a maturing body where each one serves the other in self-sacrificial love and kindness placing the interests of others as important as self (Eph 4:11-16; Phil 2:1-11). Pastors see the result in the church, in people’s lives, and in the community as they engage carnal Christians. God is not honored, people are not joyful in Christ, and the church is hindered – all because of a lack of maturity.
The way forward toward maturity
Self Counsel. The first step toward maturity is self counsel. Here, you begin to ask yourself key questions related to your desires, attitudes, thoughts, and actions. Are there symptoms of immaturity in your life? Are there places where you primarily think about yourself, what you want, what you desire, and what you think is best more than others? Do you envy others? Are you jealous? Do you promote strive? What about selfish ambition? Are you angry? Do you gossip? Do you lie? Are your behaviors consistent with someone in the flesh? Is there sin you have not confessed?
Repentance. After you have identified places in your life that do not honor God, confess those things before God in true repentance. Recognize where you have failed to grow through the Spirit and instead are living like an unbeliever. Confess those things to God and ask forgiveness for your sin. Talk to those who you have intentionally and unintentionally sinned against. Seek their forgiveness as well.
Accountability. Invite someone to help you and walk alongside you as you strive to walk in Christ. This step is particularly helpful on two levels. First, this person or group of people can help encourage you when you need it. A kind and uplifting word is helpful when things seem especially tough. Second, this person or group can help you see areas of spiritual blindness where you are deceived by your own heart. The Bible refers to the wisdom in this type of honest conversation on multiple levels. We each need others to help us as we strive in our walk with Christ.
Self-Discipline. Begin practicing regular steps of self-discipline which should lead you to better and greater growth. Daily disciplines include practices such as reading the Bible, prayer, confession, and serving others. As you read your Bible, ask key questions related to what the paragraph means and how it applies to your life. Try to keep it on your mind throughout the day. Pick an area or two of application where you need to grow and seek to apply the truth you have learned that day in that area.
Regular Church Attendance. Seek to be very faithful to your local church. Go to church with a heart prepared to listen, learn, and apply what you hear. Engage those people around you in the church. Seek to know their name, develop a relationship with them, and begin to grow alongside them. Get outside your comfort zone and seek to serve others rather than just attending a service for what you get out of it.
Article posted at: https://kevincarson.com/2018/07/12/are-you-an-immature-christian/