To be mature is to have a certain level of understanding and
ability to differentiate what is appropriate and inappropriate in various
situations. It is having the mental capacity to determine what is right from
what is wrong using the principles or laws of God (Heb.5:11-14). This ability
is continually exercised in every human interaction from marriage, child
rearing, the community, organizations, even unto one’s faith.
God, in the scriptures, refers to this type of maturity as
wisdom. The first step to wisdom with God is to obey him. To obey God is to
know and do his statues, laws, and commandment. Wisdom is a continual practice
of learning and application of what you’ve learned in the scripture to every
aspect of your life. It is done through a desire to honor God. It is also called the fear of the Lord
throughout the Bible. This mindset leads us unto a true understanding that is
evident when we automatically begin avoid or shun evil, which occurs because
our thoughts and actions are govern by God’s laws. It is these two aspect of
wisdom and understanding in the individual that God requires for true maturity
to be credited to the man or the woman as they progress through the life
journey (Job 28:28).
To have the wisdom to
obey God and the understanding to depart from evil is maturity regardless of
your physical age. And people reach this
stage at different times in their lives as they set their minds on seeking God.
Some people unfortunately never reach this point because they refuse to submit
to God. They remain in a childish state unaware of the true principles of life
and the benefits of avoiding foolish errors driven by ignorance and evil
desires. But, there comes a time when we must put away childish things (1
Cor.13:11). To be an adult in God’s eyes then is to desire the honest wisdom of
God’s word and move unto maturity by it until one comes to the understanding
that allows them to separate themselves for all evil (1 Peter 2:2, 1 John
5:20).
Shalam,
Zarach
