(Ephesians 4:14 ESV) so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Without intentional effort by default we act like children, not as in cute and adorable, but as in selfish, petty and demanding.
As we read the Bible and see things phrased in this way – “so that we may no longer be” – then we can recognize a default tendency of our humanity. By default we are immature. In this text we see that this means we are unstable in our thinking, back and forth, this sounds good, no maybe this is better, no. . .
We are carried along by various teachings, running to one then another, easily taken in by personalities and schemes set up to deceive us. Someone flatters us, seemingly takes up our cause, is on “our side” in a dispute.
Reels us right in.
Knew just which buttons to push.
After all, in our childishness, we were not interested in the big picture, just what was going to work for me. What would benefit me now? So we are primed to be led along like a child.
In the next verse Paul gives the contrast to acting like little immature Christian brats.
(Ephesians 4:15 ESV) Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
Be honest with each other and grow up.
Eugene Peterson in the Message puts it like this:
(Ephesians 4:15-17 MSG) God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love–like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. (16) He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. (17) And so I insist–and God backs me up on this–that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd.
No more pursuing every ice cream truck that rolls through our neighborhood, no more empty-headed agreement with whatever seems will make me happy.
Take our lead from Jesus Christ and play the role in each other’s lives we are supposed to.
Help each other live in the reality of the moment and forever, honest mixing of our lives for the sake of Christ.
