“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
Bible Verses About Being Childlike
The Importance of Humility
As we reflect on what it means to be childlike, we realize that an essential part of this is humility. In our walk with Christ, being humble allows us to open our hearts and minds to His teachings. Children inherently trust and are willing to learn. This teaches us that if we wish to grow in our faith, we must let go of pride and approach God as humble seekers of His wisdom. We should find comfort in knowing that humility is not a sign of weakness but strength as it can lead us closer to God and create more meaningful relationships with those around us.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
The Joy of Trust
Trust is a cornerstone of a child’s heart, and this spirit of trust is what God desires in us. When we are childlike, we choose to trust God completely, just like a child trusts their parent. This childlike trust allows us to surrender our worries and fears to Him. It is wonderful how God wants us to rely on Him for everything, knowing that He has our best interests at heart. By trusting God wholeheartedly, we open the doors to His blessings in our lives, and our faith can flourish.
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:5
Isaiah 26:4
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:4
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3
Mark 11:22
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.” – Mark 11:22
The Value of Curiosity
Being childlike also means embracing our curiosity about the world around us, especially concerning our faith. Children have an innate desire to learn and ask questions, which is essential for growth. Similarly, we too should foster a sense of curiosity about God’s love and His Word. By doing so, we open ourselves to understanding deeper mysteries and insights of faith that we may have never considered before. Together, as we explore and ask questions, we can encourage each other in our spiritual journeys and grow closer to God.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
Psalm 119:18
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:18
Luke 10:21
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” – Luke 10:21
1 Corinthians 14:20
“Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” – 1 Corinthians 14:20
The Gift of Forgiveness
A childlike heart also means practicing forgiveness freely and generously. Children are remarkably quick to forgive and move on, often forgetting the wrongs done to them. This attitude is one we are encouraged to adopt in our lives. Holding onto grudges only weighs us down, but releasing negative feelings can lift us and heal our hearts. By embracing childlike forgiveness, we nurture unity and love among ourselves and with those around us, reflecting God’s own forgiveness towards all of us.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Luke 17:3
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” – Luke 17:3
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Living in the Present
Children live in the moment, experiencing life as it comes. Their sense of wonder and appreciation for the present is something we often lose in adulthood. Embracing a childlike attitude involves cultivating mindfulness, where we appreciate the current blessings and challenges we encounter daily. When we focus on the present, we allow these moments to draw us closer to God and the beauty of His creation. Living in the present encourages gratitude and allows us to grow in faith while appreciating the journey God has laid before us.
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Matthew 14:27
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” – Matthew 14:27
The Spirit of Playfulness
Children naturally express joy and playfulness, which is vital in our relationship with God. Having a childlike spirit means embracing happiness and the lighthearted moments in life. God wants us to approach our faith with joy and excitement, not just solemnity. This playfulness can be reflected in the way we interact with our faith community. By sharing joy and laughter, we can uplift one another and create a stronger bond with each other and with God. Let us remember to embrace laughter and joy in our faith journey, knowing that God delights in our happiness.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
Psalm 126:2
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” – Psalm 126:2
Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
1 Chronicles 16:10
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” – 1 Chronicles 16:10
Living with Wonder
Being childlike helps us to maintain a sense of wonder towards God’s creation. Children often view the world with awe and curiosity, recognizing the beauty in everything they see. This wonder can motivate us to celebrate the miracles in our everyday lives and appreciate even the smallest blessings that God provides. As we cultivate this sense of wonder, we not only grow in our faith but can also inspire others to recognize the divine presence in their lives as well. Embracing the childlike wonder can deepen our connection to God and enhance our appreciation for the beauty around us.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
Job 12:7-10
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.” – Job 12:7-10
Isaiah 40:26
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” – Isaiah 40:26
Matthew 6:28-29
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on being childlike reminds us of the simplicity and purity often found in faith. We are called to embrace humility, trust, curiosity, forgiveness, joy, playfulness, wonder, and living in the present. Each of these elements helps us strengthen our relationship with God and with each other. By fostering a childlike spirit, we can better respond to the teachings of Christ and learn from His example. Let’s approach life with open hearts, knowing that in the eyes of our Father, we are all His beloved children.
As we grow in our faith, let us encourage one another and seek out more insights that can deepen our spiritual understanding. We can explore topics like the deep lessons in Matthew 18:1-5, or check out Matthew 11:25-30 to learn about God’s heart for us. May we all continue to walk hand in hand with Him, just like children, trusting always in His love and guidance.