Childishness is the propensity to remain in childlike immaturity. It is not a desirable condition in which to abide. However, childlikeness refers to abiding in a childlike spirit. It refers to a zest for life; someone who uses their imagination often and freely, who isn’t afraid to let their hair down, so to speak, and just have fun. Another aspect of childlikeness is that, like a child, we come to the Lord in all humility and trust.

Someone who is childlike doesn’t question what they are told, they just obey. Of course for grown-ups this can be problematic, but only if we refuse to think for ourselves or live naively. The Bible tells us that we must come to the Throne of God like a little child. This is because when a child starts getting to a certain age and maturity level, it is normal and healthy and simply part of his/her development to begin questioning the ‘whys’ they’ve been taught. But it’s that time period before they become aware and begin questioning that God is referring to in this verse, when the ideals of the Lord are not brought into question, so that complete and utter trust in the LORD can flourish and thrive:

“Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:2-5)

But much to the contrary, childishness is not desirable for any adult, (and barely for a child, but they get an appropriate pass!):

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1Corinthians 13:11)

Childishness is abiding in the immaturity that is only natural for a child, while childlikeness is maintaining the excitement of life while abiding in trust and dependency those they trust. For children, trusting in adults is as natural as breathing, but when we grow up, we tend to depend on our own logic and follow our own plans and agendas. Without knowledge and wisdom from God, even believers can live in the error of trusting self over God. It takes a certain degree of childlike wonder to continue looking up to Jesus as our Perfect Example, instead of leaning on what we think and feel.

NKJV

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.