Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.
Title: Maturity in Christ
Theme: To show the importance of being a mature Christian
Text: Eph 4:14, 1 Cor 3:1-3
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14 AV)
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? {divisions: or, factions} {as men: Gr. according to man?} (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 AV)
Here we see a common theme in these verses. Paul being the author of both is talking to Christians and telling them to stop being as children. In other words he is telling them to grow up. I think in the church today Paul would still be preaching the same message. I think he would walk into many of our churches, including ours, and would say it is time that some of you grew up.
In Christianity there are two kinds of Christians there is the carnal Christian and the mature Chrstian. There is the child and the man. We all start out as the carnal Christian. Not a one of us jumped straight to being a mature Christian or an adult. If anything I would say that Paul is not speaking to those who are new to the faith. They are expected to be young and carnal. They do not know and have not grown in the truth. Peter said in
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Growth is expected of the Christian it is not only expected it is required. But the question must be asked what is wrong with staying a babe. Some have the mentality of sliding into heaven. Not doing much just barely making it in. Just living on the edge. Let us look at these verses and see.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
Marks of a child
a. easily influenced
"tossed to and fro"
A child is easily tossed to and fro. He is easily distracted from the task that he is doing to pick up and do something more entertaining. Sometimes I let Kai sit in my lap an drive. Just to let him play. Not long into the driving do I notice that he is easily distracted. If it is something in the road or the commotion in the car. He will turn his head and not pay a lick of attention to where he is going. If I were to freely let him drive we know how far it would last.
The same works in the life of the Christians. If they are babes then they can be easily distracted. It may be that they find something more entertaining. Sometime it could be a better program at the other church. or a more dynamic speaker. They are wrapped up in this.
As also they are easily influenced. This is why it is so important that a new Christian is a disciple. I heard a startling figure the other day. The Promise Keepers group. It has a wonderful message and actually wonderful statics at the meeting. After many years a poll was done to see what was happening to the converts. After extensive research it was found that out of ten individuals that made a commit to the Lord, eight of them had gone back. Only two of them were still serving the Lord.
Why? Because mainly immature and no discipleship. I know that Christ came into their hearts but they were also vulnerable if they did not pursue him more.
b. needs to be fed with milk
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2 AV)
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 AV)
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. {doctrine: Heb. the hearing?} (Isaiah 28:9 AV)
Not understanding the deeper things of God. There are things that you can talk about. Now the thing is not all should be children. I have met people who have been Christian for years but still do not understand the deeper things of God.
Strangely enough they know this. They use the excuse it does not matter. But it does. God wants you to show interest in him.
and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
Being an carnal Christian leaves open to accepting any thing that comes along. This is what happened to the Corinthian church. They allowed false prophets to come in and teach and they were susceptible.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. (Hebrews 13:9 AV)
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (Matthew 11:7 AV)
unstable
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: {adultery: Gr. an adulteress}
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
How do they deceive?
by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14 AV)
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:18 AV)
Paul speaking of the false teachers says that they are deceivers. They are out to deceive. It may seem strange that people are like this but for whatever reason they are.
How to avoid being deceived
I. grow
1. reading God's Word
2. Being in fellowship with other Christians.
3. Witness/testimony
4. Be accountable
II. You must know the Word of God
Make an effort to not only study God's word but to know it.
III. Don't be gullible
Don't accept anything first hand. Only when it is shown to be scripture ably stable.
