…we are no longer to be children,

tossed here and there by waves,

and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. . .

Ephesians 4:14

He was ecstatic! He and “Granddad” had gone to The Dollar Store and he had his very own dollar bill clutched in one warm, small fist. Up and down all the aisles’again and again. Then, he saw it! Just what he wanted to spend his dollar on! Purchase made. Ecstasy still evident. Home’fifteen minutes later. His sister was playing with some marbles and suddenly his “new toy” lost its appeal. He dropped it on the divan and it was soon forgotten entirely!

Children are a never-ending source of wonder and change! Their emotions go from five to fourteen in seconds, and come back down to five from fourteen just as quickly. Their attention span varies and a new toy isn’t sufficient to lengthen that attention span for very long. Children change quickly in their desires, affections, emotions and loyalty. They are impulsive, ignorant, and easily swayed by an older child’s activities or suggestions. They are gullible. They are very “unstable” in many ways. That’s all right! They are children and this behavior is expected of them. They are learning!

But we as Believers are not to be like children: tossed here and there by waves and carried about by different winds of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). This characterizes instability. We are not to allow others to manipulate us or by their “craftiness” and devious ways to sway our allegiance. We must not be gullible’lacking spiritual discernment. We are not to be doctrinally unstable’not confident of our belief concerning controversial issues or being easily swayed by some voice of authority or someone’s “great experience”.

Spiritual discernment comes as a result of knowledge and relationships. This influence could come from external forces or internal forces. We are learning constantly as we read the Bible, are mentored by more mature friends, sit under wise teachers, and experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to grow into stable, steadfast, mature children of God.

None of this is available if you are an “island” separated from fellow Believers, nor is it available in and of yourself! The Holy Spirit is your Teacher and He will guide you as you trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Then we will no longer be like children,

forever changing our minds about

what we believe because someone

has told us something different,

or has cleverly lied to us and

made the lie sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4: 14 (TLB)