NO LONGER CHILDREN

NO LONGER CHILDREN

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 4:11-16

Key Verse: “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 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 5:12-14; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:17-18.

Description: This message challenges believers to abandon spiritual immaturity, stand firmly in biblical truth, develop godly character, and grow into stable and discerning followers of Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

In the natural world, children are expected to grow into adulthood. A child requires care, protection, instruction, and guidance, but it would be abnormal for someone to remain physically immature throughout life. The same principle applies to the Christian faith. When we receive Jesus Christ, we begin a new life as children of God, but our spiritual journey must continue towards maturity. God does not want us to remain dependent on elementary instruction, easily offended by correction, unstable in our convictions, or controlled by childish attitudes.

In Ephesians 4:11–16, the Apostle Paul explains that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints and build up the body of Christ. The purpose is to bring believers into unity, knowledge, maturity, and the fullness of Christ. Verse 14 warns that believers must no longer remain children who are tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Paul identifies spiritual instability, deceptive teaching, and human craftiness as dangers that threaten immature Christians. God's desire is for His people to become established in truth and increasingly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.

The Church needs believers who are spiritually mature, discerning, responsible, and steadfast. We cannot afford to remain children in our understanding when God expects us to become mature in our faith. We must learn to distinguish truth from error, receive correction with humility, overcome destructive attitudes, and practise the Word we hear. The question we must answer is this: Are we growing spiritually, or are we merely growing older in the Church? Today, God is calling us to leave spiritual childishness behind and become mature believers who can stand firm in His truth.

1. GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO REMAIN SPIRITUAL CHILDREN

Spiritual infancy is an appropriate beginning for every new believer, but it should not become a permanent condition. God desires continual growth in our understanding, character, faith, and obedience. We must recognise that salvation introduces us to the Christian life, while discipleship develops us into mature followers of Christ.

a) We must grow beyond spiritual infancy (1 Peter 2:2)

Peter writes, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” A newborn believer needs the nourishment of God's Word to develop a strong spiritual foundation. However, the purpose of nourishment is growth.

A spiritually immature person may depend entirely on others for prayer, encouragement, instruction, and spiritual direction without developing personal discipline. While Christian fellowship and pastoral guidance are important, every believer must learn to seek God personally, study the Scriptures, pray consistently, and obey the Lord.

We must not be satisfied with remaining at the same level of understanding year after year. Our spiritual lives should show increasing stability, discernment, and responsibility.

b) We must move from elementary understanding to maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14)

The writer of Hebrews rebuked believers who had been in the faith long enough to teach others but still needed basic instruction. Their spiritual age had increased, but their maturity had not kept pace.

This warning applies to anyone who has heard the Word for years but continues to struggle with the same destructive habits without making progress. We may know many Scriptures and attend numerous services, yet remain immature if we refuse to practise what we learn.

God expects us to develop the ability to understand His truth, apply it wisely, and help others grow. The goal is not simply to accumulate biblical information but to become people whose lives are governed by God's Word.

c) We must put away childish attitudes (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Paul declares, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Spiritual childishness may appear through jealousy, gossip, quarrelling, pride, resentment, impulsive decisions, and the constant desire for recognition. These attitudes weaken relationships and hinder the work of God.

Growing up spiritually requires us to recognise such weaknesses and surrender them to the Lord. We must learn to speak with wisdom, think according to Scripture, and respond to difficult situations with maturity.

d) We must continue growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)

Peter commands believers to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Spiritual maturity is a continuous process, not a destination at which we arrive and become independent of God.

Growing in grace develops our character, while growing in knowledge deepens our understanding of Christ and His Word. Both are necessary for a balanced Christian life.

We must remain humble enough to learn, willing enough to change, and disciplined enough to pursue God consistently. No matter how much we have learnt or achieved, there is always room to grow in our knowledge of Christ and our expression of His character.

Biblical Example: The Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Paul described the Corinthian believers as carnal because jealousy and strife were present among them. Although they had experienced God's grace and spiritual gifts, their relationships revealed immaturity. Their example teaches us that spiritual experiences and gifts do not automatically produce maturity. Our attitudes and conduct must also be transformed.

2. WE MUST NO LONGER BE TOSSED TO AND FRO BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE

Ephesians 4:14 compares spiritual immaturity to a child being tossed about by waves. A person without a firm foundation can be influenced by every new teaching, sensational prophecy, popular opinion, or persuasive speaker. Such instability makes it difficult to remain steadfast in faith.

God wants His children to become established in His Word so that they can distinguish truth from error and remain faithful even when false teachings become popular.

a) We must be rooted in the truth of God's Word (John 17:17)

Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” God's Word is the foundation upon which our faith and conduct must rest.

A believer who does not know Scripture can easily be confused by teachings that sound spiritual but contradict biblical truth. We must therefore study the Bible carefully rather than depending entirely on what others say about it.

Make time for personal Bible study. Read passages in their context, compare Scripture with Scripture, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and obey the truth. A strong biblical foundation helps us remain stable when confusion arises.

b) We must examine every teaching carefully (Acts 17:11)

The Berean believers were commended because they received the Word eagerly and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether Paul's message was true.

Their example demonstrates that spiritual maturity requires both a teachable heart and a discerning mind. We should not reject every new teaching simply because it is unfamiliar, but neither should we accept a message merely because the speaker is popular or persuasive.

Every teaching must be examined in the light of Scripture. We must be willing to learn, but we must also be committed to truth. This practice protects us from deception and helps us develop sound spiritual judgement.

c) We must refuse to follow every popular spiritual trend (Colossians 2:6-8)

Paul warned believers to beware lest anyone spoil them through philosophy and vain deceit, after human traditions and the principles of the world, rather than after Christ.

Not every popular idea is biblical, and not every widely followed movement is spiritually sound. Some teachings attract attention because they promise quick solutions, extraordinary experiences, or personal prosperity without maintaining the balance of Scripture.

Mature believers do not measure truth by popularity, excitement, or the number of people following a teacher. They measure it by its faithfulness to Christ and His Word.

d) We must remain steadfast during spiritual confusion (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Paul encourages believers to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. This instruction reminds us that Christian faithfulness requires stability.

There will be times when different voices compete for our attention and circumstances challenge our confidence. In such moments, we must return to the promises of God, continue in prayer, seek sound counsel, and refuse to abandon biblical convictions.

Being steadfast does not mean refusing to learn or correct our mistakes. It means remaining committed to the truth of Christ while being humble enough to receive genuine biblical instruction.

Biblical Example: The Berean Believers (Acts 17:10-12)

The Bereans listened attentively to Paul's teaching and searched the Scriptures daily to verify what they heard. They were not carried away by emotion or personality. Their commitment to examining God's Word enabled them to receive the message with understanding and faith.

3. WE MUST RECOGNISE AND RESIST SPIRITUAL DECEPTION

Paul warns in Ephesians 4:14 about the sleight of men and cunning craftiness through which people seek to deceive others. Spiritual deception is dangerous because it often appears attractive and may even use biblical language. A believer who lacks discernment can be misled without realising it.

We must therefore grow in biblical knowledge, spiritual discernment, and personal devotion to Christ. Our confidence must rest in the Lord and His truth, not in the claims of human beings.

a) We must understand that deception can appear convincing (Matthew 24:4-5)

Jesus warned His disciples to take heed that no one deceived them. His warning shows that deception is a real spiritual danger and that believers must remain watchful.

False teaching does not always appear openly hostile to Christianity. It may use familiar words, quote selected Scriptures, or appeal to genuine spiritual needs while leading people away from the truth.

We must not assume that every religious message is accurate simply because it mentions God or Jesus. We must examine what is taught, how Scripture is interpreted, and whether the message agrees with the gospel.

b) We must test spiritual claims by Scripture (1 John 4:1)

John instructs believers not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits to determine whether they are of God. This requires discernment and a willingness to evaluate spiritual claims carefully.

Claims of prophecy, visions, dreams, miracles, and divine instructions must not be used to cancel the authority of Scripture. Genuine spiritual guidance will not lead us into disobedience to God's revealed truth.

We should examine spiritual claims prayerfully, compare them with the Bible, and seek wise counsel when necessary. Testing a claim is not unbelief; it is an important responsibility of Christian maturity.

c) We must guard against manipulation and unhealthy dependence on people (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

Scripture warns against placing ultimate confidence in human strength rather than trusting in the Lord. God may use pastors, teachers, mentors, and other leaders to guide us, but no human leader should take the place of Christ in our lives.

Spiritual manipulation may involve using fear, threats, shame, or promises of special blessings to control people's decisions. Mature believers honour godly leadership while remembering that every leader remains accountable to God and His Word.

We must learn to follow Christ faithfully, receive sound counsel, and exercise responsible discernment. Our spiritual security rests ultimately in the Lord.

d) We must remain watchful and spiritually disciplined (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Peter instructs believers to be sober and vigilant because their adversary, the devil, walks about seeking whom he may devour. He also calls them to resist steadfastly in the faith.

Spiritual vigilance includes prayer, Bible study, godly fellowship, obedience, and awareness of our weaknesses. We must not become careless simply because we have been Christians for many years.

When temptation comes, we should resist it promptly, seek God's help, and take practical steps to avoid situations that encourage sin. A vigilant believer is better prepared to recognise danger and remain faithful.

Biblical Example: Jesus in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

When Satan tempted Jesus, he even quoted Scripture in an attempt to support his deception. Jesus responded by rightly applying the Word of God and refusing to compromise His obedience to the Father. His example teaches us that familiarity with biblical language is not enough; we must understand and apply Scripture faithfully.

4. WE MUST DEVELOP THE CHARACTER OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Spiritual maturity is revealed not only by what we know but also by how we live. A believer may be able to quote Scripture, preach powerfully, or hold a prominent position and still need growth in patience, humility, forgiveness, and self-control.

God wants our lives to reflect the character of Jesus Christ. As we grow, our words, attitudes, decisions, and relationships should increasingly demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.

a) We must grow in love and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-13)

Paul commands believers to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering, bearing with and forgiving one another as Christ forgave them.

An immature believer may allow a minor disagreement to destroy a relationship or hold resentment against someone for years. A mature believer learns to deal with offences in a godly manner, seek reconciliation where possible, and refuse to nourish bitterness.

Forgiveness does not mean denying wrongdoing or pretending that every relationship is safe. It means surrendering vengeance to God and choosing a response that honours Christ.

b) We must grow in humility (Philippians 2:3-5)

Paul instructs believers to do nothing through strife or vainglory but to esteem others in humility. He directs our attention to the mind of Christ, who demonstrated humility and sacrificial service.

Spiritual immaturity constantly seeks recognition and becomes offended when appreciation is withheld. Maturity enables us to serve faithfully whether or not others notice our efforts.

Humility also helps us acknowledge mistakes, appreciate the gifts of others, and receive correction without unnecessary defensiveness. We must remember that every ability and opportunity we possess is a gift of God's grace.

c) We must grow in self-control (Proverbs 16:32)

Proverbs teaches that a person who rules his spirit is better than one who takes a city. This highlights the importance of controlling our reactions and desires.

An immature person may speak carelessly, react impulsively, or allow anger to determine his decisions. A mature believer learns to pause, pray, think carefully, and respond in a manner consistent with Scripture.

Self-control is important in speech, money management, relationships, sexual purity, and the use of time. We must ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and develop habits that help us live responsibly.

d) We must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Paul identifies the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These qualities reveal the kind of character God desires to develop in believers.

Spiritual gifts are valuable, but the presence of gifts does not excuse a lack of godly character. A person may be gifted in preaching and still need to grow in patience or humility.

We must yield continually to the Holy Spirit so that our character becomes increasingly Christlike. As the fruit of the Spirit develops in us, our lives become a stronger testimony to the transforming power of God.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 45:1-15; Genesis 50:15-21)

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Yet when he later gained authority over his brothers, he chose mercy rather than revenge and recognised God's providence in preserving life. His example shows how spiritual maturity can help us respond to painful experiences with forgiveness, wisdom, and faith.

5. WE MUST GROW INTO CHRIST THROUGH TRUTH AND LOVE

Ephesians 4:15 presents the positive alternative to spiritual immaturity: speaking the truth in love and growing into Christ in all things. God does not want us merely to avoid error; He wants us to become increasingly like His Son.

Truth and love must work together in our Christian lives. Truth keeps us faithful to God's Word, while love shapes the way we communicate and relate to others. When these qualities operate together, they promote spiritual growth and strengthen the Church.

a) We must speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15)

Speaking the truth involves honesty, integrity, faithfulness to Scripture, and a refusal to participate in deception. Mature believers do not distort facts to protect their reputation or spread rumours to damage another person's name.

Truth must govern our private conversations, business dealings, ministry responsibilities, and relationships. We must be people whose words can be trusted.

Speaking truth also means remaining faithful to biblical teaching, even when it is unpopular. We should not compromise God's Word merely to gain approval or avoid necessary correction.

b) We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)

Paul does not simply instruct us to speak the truth; he tells us to speak it in love. The manner in which we communicate matters because our purpose should be to help people, not humiliate them.

Truth without love can become harsh, proud, and destructive. On the other hand, an idea of love that avoids all correction can allow people to continue in harmful behaviour.

A mature believer learns to correct gently, listen patiently, disagree respectfully, and seek another person's spiritual good. We must speak with conviction while maintaining compassion.

c) We must grow in every area of life (Ephesians 4:15)

Paul says that believers are to grow into Christ in all things. This means that Christ must influence every aspect of our lives, not merely our public worship or ministry activities.

We should grow in our family relationships, financial decisions, work habits, use of time, treatment of others, and response to difficulties. Spiritual maturity must be visible beyond the church building.

We must continually ask whether our conduct reflects Christ in private as well as in public. Our goal is not to appear spiritual before people but to live faithfully before God.

d) We must remain connected to Christ, the Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Paul identifies Christ as the Head from whom the whole body receives direction and nourishment. The Church can grow properly only when it remains submitted to Jesus Christ.

Spiritual maturity does not mean becoming independent of Christ. Rather, it means developing a deeper dependence on Him and a more faithful response to His leadership.

As individual believers grow in truth and love, they contribute to the health of the entire Church. Every member has a responsibility to serve, encourage, and strengthen others so that the body of Christ grows according to God's purpose.

Biblical Example: Barnabas (Acts 9:26-28; Acts 11:22-26)

When others were afraid to receive Saul after his conversion, Barnabas came alongside him and helped establish his place among the disciples. Later, Barnabas encouraged the believers in Antioch to remain faithful to the Lord and worked with Saul in teaching them. His life demonstrates how truth, encouragement, and love can help believers grow and become useful in God's work.

CONCLUSION

God's call to His Church is clear: we must no longer remain spiritual children. We must grow beyond childish attitudes, become established in the truth of Scripture, resist deception, develop Christlike character, and learn to speak the truth in love. Spiritual maturity is not measured merely by our years in church, the gifts we possess, or the positions we occupy. It is demonstrated by our increasing stability in faith, obedience to God's Word, love for others, discernment, humility, and faithful service.

Today, make a deliberate decision to grow. Return to the Word of God, strengthen your prayer life, receive correction with humility, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform your character. Do not allow offences, false teachings, pride, or spiritual laziness to keep you immature. God has provided His Word, His Spirit, and the fellowship of the Church to help you grow. May you become steadfast in faith, mature in understanding, fruitful in service, and increasingly like Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, deliver me from every form of spiritual immaturity and help me grow into the fullness of Christ, in Jesus name.

2. O Lord, establish me firmly in Your Word and deliver me from confusion, deception, and every false doctrine, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, remove every childish attitude, jealousy, pride, bitterness, and strife from my life, in Jesus name.

4. Father, grant me spiritual discernment to recognise error, test every teaching by Scripture, and remain steadfast in the truth, in Jesus name.

5. Lord Jesus, develop Your character in me and help me grow in love, humility, patience, forgiveness, and self-control, in Jesus name.

6. Father, deliver me from every form of spiritual manipulation and help me follow Christ faithfully with wisdom and understanding, in Jesus name.

7. O Lord, give me grace to receive correction, learn from my mistakes, and continually make progress in my Christian life, in Jesus name.

8. Holy Spirit, strengthen my inner man and help me overcome temptation, endure trials, and remain faithful in every season, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to speak the truth in love and become a source of encouragement, unity, and spiritual growth to other believers, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make me a mature, discerning, steadfast, and fruitful believer whose life continually brings glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are growing beyond spiritual infancy; you will no longer remain stagnant, but you will advance in grace, wisdom, knowledge, and Christlike maturity, in the mighty name of Jesus.

2. You are becoming firmly established in the Word of God; you will not be tossed about by false teachings, confusion, or deceptive spiritual claims, in the mighty name of Jesus.

3. You receive spiritual discernment to recognise truth and reject error; your faith will be grounded in Scripture, and your heart will remain steadfast in Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.

4. You are putting away childish attitudes; jealousy, pride, strife, bitterness, and unforgiveness will not control your life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

5. You are growing in love, humility, patience, and self-control; your words and actions will increasingly reflect the character of Jesus Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.

6. You receive strength from the Holy Spirit to resist temptation, overcome trials, and remain faithful to God when circumstances become difficult, in the mighty name of Jesus.

7. You will not be manipulated by deceptive teachings or unhealthy spiritual control; you will walk in biblical truth, godly wisdom, and responsible discernment, in the mighty name of Jesus.

8. You are becoming a doer of the Word and not a hearer only; your faith will produce obedience, holiness, integrity, and fruitful Christian service, in the mighty name of Jesus.

9. You are growing into Christ in every area of your life; your family relationships, ministry, decisions, and daily conduct will increasingly honour the Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus.

10. You are becoming a mature and steadfast believer; you will fulfil God's purpose for your life, strengthen others in the faith, and bring glory to Jesus Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.