JULY 24, 1 Corinthians 14:20

What does ‘in understanding be men’ mean? How about girls or ladies – are they supposed to think like men? No. What this phrase means is that we must have mature Christian thinking, knowing how foolish it is to sin and disobey God.

Four classmates - Abel, Bobby, Calvin and Derrick - went to Clementi mall after school. They entered a beautiful toy shop that was stacked with many tempting nice toys.

Abel, egging Bobby to steal a toy, whispered, “The old shopkeeper wouldn’t know.” Bobby pretended not to hear anything and acted as though he didn’t understand what Abel and his other friends wanted him to do. Finally, he said,” It is wrong to steal. The Bible says that stealing is a sin.”

“Listen to our silly Sunday School teacher talking,” teased Calvin after they left the shop, trying to act big. Bobby remained steadfast and wouldn’t let his friends pressure him into doing something wrong. “I don’t care what you think of me. I want only to do what’s right to please God.”

“Coward!” said Abel, followed by Calvin who called him ‘Timid’. Derrick too called him a “Chicken”. Although all three of his friends left him alone outside the shop, he felt a warm wonderful feeling welling up. He knew what he did was right.

Bobby didn’t mind being called names for not wanting to steal. Although a boy, he was mature in following God’s Word, and was “a man in understanding”. Some children think that daring to do wrong to please their friends makes them more “grown-up”. That is wrong. A Christian who is grown-up or mature in his thinking knows that sinning is wrong and is going against God’s will. Obeying God is “grown-up thinking”.

Thought: Don’t you want to be spiritually mature with “grown-up thinking”?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be spiritually mature in my decisions by reading and obeying Your Word daily. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.