04/05/2024
I found this interesting.
Seven Signs of a Baby Christian
A mini study by Rev Walter Mwambazi
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Read Heb 5:12-14
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; And you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
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One of the most troubling trends we see in Christianity (throughout its history) is the tendency for immaturity to be the common thread among believers. This isn't desirable for anyone because as we all know very well, babies are not independent at all. Babies depend on their mother for virtually everything and always will.
Not until a baby matures can the true joy of being a parent become complete. Imagine the trauma of having a child that remains a baby in their mind indefinitely! Odd as it may sound, that is what many baby Christians are to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Below are seven signs (not exhaustive) that a believer is still a baby in the Lord.
✍🏾 #1. Instability
One of the most obvious signs that a Christian life is unstable is that they are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14-16). They are always "hunting" for the latest "prophetic move", changing one denomination after another and "chasing after miracles" instead of "seeking the miracle maker Himself - our Lord Jesus Christ".
✍🏾 #2. Divisive
Another sign is always being divisive and "carnal" in mind. Just like little babies have to be supervised and kept within their own "cribs" lest they end up "quarreling", baby Christians are always causing contentions and quarrels over many matters in the church. They are also big champions of "denomination" over The Body Of Christ.
✍🏾 #3. Star Struck
One super obvious sign is that baby Christians are fascinated and "star struck" over Christian celebrity preachers. They are always defending and holding up very highly their pastors or prophets to obsessive levels.
This includes pictures, quotes and the worst, becoming a "carbon copy" of their pastor (dressing and hairstyle, speaking style and mannerisms). Babies are always focused on one person (their mother) and so are baby Christians who glory in men rather than Christ who called those men (I am of Paul, I am of Apollos) as in 1 Corinthians 1:12).
✍🏾 #4. Spiritually Asleep
Baby Christians just like real babies spend too much time sleeping. Baby Christians will sleep "spiritually" from Monday to Saturday only "waking up" on Sunday for three hours and then back to sleep. They hardly pray (only during meals), never read their bibles, never meditate, never worship and for them fasting is a strange concept seldom done except during lent (and even that is religious and iffy)
✍🏾 #5. Fussy and Cranky
Ever seen how fussy, cranky and difficult babies can be? Many baby Christians behave like that. Statements like "the preaching is too long", "too short", "pastor/choir/service is boring", "pastor favors others", "I hate X", "the church ignores me" and the like. With babies, it's always about them. The world revolves around them alone.
✍🏾 #6. Unskilled in the Word of God
Just like babies cannot read or write, baby Christians find the Word of God strange and far fetched. Because they never study it, they never mature in Christ. Ideally, every Christian must mature to a point where they too can teach the word to those to whom they witness (friends and family). The best way to internalize God's word is to teach it.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
✍🏾 #7. Lack of Discernment
Perhaps this is the greatest sign of immaturity. Babies cannot tell danger because they have no capacity to discern. Babies will rush for a boiling pot, reach out for a flame, place in their mouths anything within reach, and thus need supervision lest they place themselves in mortal danger. Baby Christians are the same, having no ability whatsoever to discern good from evil (specifically wholesome vs. corrupt doctrine).
Baby Christians will swallow everything they hear so long as its coming from a so-called man or woman of God. They watch way too much Christian Television (easily a source of conflicting and heretical content without any filters). They accept any spiritual food even when its harmful and dangerous to their Christian walk. The mature Christian is marked by their capacity to discern and their unshakable commitment to Jesus Christ regardless of the circumstances.
Are you still a baby Christian? Do you have one or more of these signs?
May this article serve as a litmus test to determine your own level of maturity and strive to grow into a mature man or woman of good, rich in fruit and good works, to the glory of Christ our savior.
