Proverbs 4

What does it mean for us to grow in Christian maturity? We need to listen to wise instruction and to let it change us.

Maturity in the Lord is not just for young men. Paul writes in Titus 2:2, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” This is a worthy goal. How can we attain it unless we follow the good examples that God has set before us?

Even old men need to listen to wisdom. We especially need to listen to the Word of God and to diligently put it into practice, rather than being led by the nose according to our old habits or childish emotions.

Wisdom demands that we see the difference between good and evil, and that we stay away from bad pathways. We cannot find maturity in Jesus by joining with others in their malice and violence. That should be obvious. The pathway of wickedness leads only to darkness and death.

There is an alternative road; one that our righteous Savior walked for us. That road leads to ever clearer spiritual vision and to the bright day of healthy resurrection living, but it requires that we pick up a cross of love.

We will foolishly reject that cross if we live our life according to childish impulses. The maturity of true faith and love demands that we learn this discernment concerning our own hearts and find the courage from the Lord to reject evil.

Are we wandering from the joy of the Lord? Are we returning to old ways that will only lead to trouble? We need to see the wisdom of God again in our Savior and to run toward that light. We need to keep His cross love for us as the delight of our innermost being with all sincerity and faithfulness. Remember, He forgives and He renews. Out of our hearts will flow streams of living water; the Lord's gift to His children.

Following the Savior who loves us requires diligence. We need to pay attention not only to the meditations of our hearts, but also to the words that we speak.

A child may not yet have the discernment necessary to turn away from evil. That little one can be easily led astray. He needs constant supervision. The maturity that we seek is for those who have found out how to govern themselves by the grace that the Lord supplies. We have learned the value of listening to sound words.

We have also discovered that we cannot let our eyes gaze longingly at that which will only destroy us. We will only avoid injury if we are willing to diligently keep our eyes on the pathway that leads to life. “Lead on, O King eternal. We follow you!”