People can lose their temper when things don’t go their way, or don’t happen in the time they want. That is when character testing starts. Many times, trials reveal the heart. As the saying goes: “the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart”
Over the past few weeks we have been learning about how to be a grown-up Christian, how to mature in our faith, and move to a new level of understanding (James 1:2-5). Through the Bible we find many characters that experienced this theme of patience in their lives, like Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, and of course Jesus.
1. A grown-up Christian will learn to be patient (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 6:12; James 1:3; Hebrews 12:1-2; Romans 12:12)
2. A grown-up Christian will practice discernment (Ephesians 4:14 NLV; Acts 17:11)
3. A grown-up Christian will persist (Philippians 2:12; Colossians 1:23; Acts 13:43, 28:14)
Apply
1. A grown-up Christian will learn to be patient
Immaturity – impatient: An immature Christian will be impatient, they like instant answers to their prayers. Everything must be done immediately. Many people say: "God, you told me you are going to bless me, I want everything you have shown me to happen today.” Charles Spurgeon said: “The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.” When we look at the Bible, the translation of the word Patience from the original Hebrew means: slow to anger. So, patience is not only waiting, it is waiting with a good attitude (Galatians 6:9). Can you imagine a farmer sowing seeds and then checking the ground that same hour for the fruit? It’s not logical. In the same way, we need to develop patience. We need to be slow to anger and to practice self-control. Patience is trusting God’s timing, enduring trials without bitterness, and responding to others with grace (Hebrews 6:12).
Maturity – patient: What are the testings in your life producing today (James 1:3)? It may be anger, frustration, sadness, hopelessness, disappointment, indifference, or even a sense of “I deserve this” which is condemnation. However, a Mature Christian will say “God, this is temporary, my eyes are fixed on you” (Hebrews 12:1-2). A mature Christian will see that patience is not just passive waiting, it is active endurance (Romans 12:12). Jesus was patient with His disciples when they didn’t get it. Also, He was patient with sinners when they were lost and broken. The disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit. There were many questions, but as they waited and prayed, the Holy Spirit came.
2. A grown-up Christian will practice discernment
Immaturity - easily influenced and a sucker for the spectacular: Immature Christians can be like children who are open to strangers, especially strangers who smile and gave sweets. That is why we tell our children "Don't talk to strangers". Why? Because they can easily be led astray. This is not new; this was a constant problem in the New Testament. False teachers arose who led the spiritually immature away. Today we see many people following the same pattern, looking for the next big trend, the next big event, the excitement. Children like noise and bright colours. Some Christians only really come alive when the circus comes to town. The bigger the build ups, the greater the hype, the more outrageous the claims, the happier some people are. All that glitters, however, is not necessary gold.
Maturity - can discern between good and evil: Discernment is not human cleverness, it is Holy Spirit-given. It is distinguishing the voice of Christ from the voices of culture. When we become a mature Christian “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14 NLV). With countless YouTube sermons, TikTok reels, and Spotify podcasts, it’s easy to believe whatever sounds inspiring. But be watchful of what you feed your mind with, be careful of what you see, hear and believe. This is very important. We read that the Bereans were eager to learn and were discerning so they opened the scrolls, compared the apostle Paul’s teaching with the Old Testament, and checked carefully (Acts 17:11). Not to contradict what Paul was teaching, but they did this because of their desire to grow in faith and to be rooted in the Word of God. Discernment is not about being clever; it’s about being close to Christ, the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know His voice. When you spend time in His Word, you learn to recognise His voice above the noise.
3. A grown-up Christian will persist
Immaturity - easily discouraged and put down: Sometimes we can be discouraged when we don't see the fruit we dream of. Perseverance is not a virtue always seen in young children.
Maturity - not just consistent but persistent: One of the big words to the early church was 'continue' (Philippians 2:12; Colossians 1:23; Acts 13:43; Acts 28:14). Sometimes growth feels slow, but in Christ, every step of endurance is moving us toward maturity and victory (see William Wilberforce, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale). As mature Christians, we need the determination and to make the decision to not turn back, but to persist, insist and resist for the cause of Christ.
