Be Children
 

by James W. Adams

Who has not at one time or another wistfully yearned with the poet, "Backward, turn backward, 0 time in its flight, make me a child again just for tonight?" We view this as sort of an escape mechanism on the part of an individual — a running away from the present and from reality. Yet, our Lord and his inspired apostles taught that men must in several particulars revert to childhood to be true disciples of the Master. Some brethren have evidently misunderstood what they have said along this line, however. They have confused childlikeness with childishness. We are not taught to be childish, but childlike. There is a difference!

Paul said, "In malice be ye children...." (1 Cor. 14:20) No person familiar with the habits and attitudes of children could possibly misunderstand what Paul is talking about. Children will have a falling out and solemnly vow that they will never speak to one another again, yet within the hour will be seen with arms about one another, the closest of friends. Malice can find in their hearts no soil in which to take root and grow. God would have this attribute recreated in the lives of his children. Well did Shakespeare say, "Deep malice makes too deep incision." Malice makes a deep incision in the character of him who holds it. In his heart it will fester and spread until it becomes a deadly malignancy corrupting his whole being. Regardless of the evil nature of that which is said and done against him, the Christian cannot afford to cherish malice within his heart against any. To do so is to let another's evil take root within him. So much of life is wasted by the useless holding of malice in the heart. Bitterness, disillusionment, hatred, suspicion, evil speaking, and discontentment are its evil fruits. Let us so sterilize the soil of our hearts that the tares of malice cannot find root and grow in it. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Tennyson wrote some beautiful words concerning wronging a friend that we should like to adapt to the hearing of malice in our hearts against one who has done us injury. We would say with Tennyson of him who bears malice that he:

"Wrongs himself more, And ever bears about

A silent court of justice in his breast,

Himself the judge and jury, and himself,

The prisoner at the bar, ever condemned."

Let us then as Paul taught, "....in malice be children, but in understanding be men."  - Gospel Guardian - September 1, 1960

 

 

Other Articles by James W. Adams

Source of Wisdom
Facing West
Red Sails in the Sunset
Splendid Discontent
Rascals are Always Sociable