Putting Away the Toys

I Cor. 13:11

Interpretation

This verse has an interpretation as well as an application.  By way of introduction, let's examine what Paul was really talking about in the context.  Then we will look at an application from this verse.

            1. I spake as a child - refers to the "tongues" in 8

            2. I understood as a child - refers to "prophecy" in vs. 8

            3. I thought as a child - refers to "knowledge" in vs. 8

Paul is explaining that these things were necessary in the infant stages of the church, but once the church was completely in the New Testament dispensation, those things were no longer necessary in the sense that they were in the beginning.  See verse 10.

Application

I want to take this verse and make an application from it that I think would help us.  Let's examine Paul's encouragement concerning "Putting Away the Toys"

Intro: Putting Away the Toys is ...

            A. A Demonstration

                        1. Of Charity - see the context of the chapter

                        2. Of Changes - when I became a man; manhood and maturity

                        3. Of Choices - you do have a choice in what you are involved in

            B. A Deliberation - (I put away...)

                        1. It wasn't done by force - it wasn't taken away; it was put away

                        2. It wasn't done by guilt trip - it was a natural process that went with maturity

            C. A Dedication - (away - not back and forth, but put them away for good!)

                        1. It wasn't hidden away - it was put away!

                        2. It wasn't put on probation - it was put away!

Paul acknowledged that since he's been a man, there was a change in several areas of his life.  Those childish things (toys) are detailed in the first part of the verse.  Let's look at them.

I. The Toys of Childish Communication - (I spake as a child...) -

• Graceful, helpful - Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
• Premeditated - Titus 2:8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
• Gossip - Titus 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
• Thoughtful - James 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
• Not judgmental - James 4:11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
• Truthful - Ephesians 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

II. The Toys of Childish Comprehension - (I understood as a child...) Simple

• Proverbs 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
• Psalms 119:27  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
• Psalms 119:100  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
• Psalms 53:2  God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

III. The Toys of Childish Consideration - (I thought as a child...) - Selfish

• 2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
• Luke 12:22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
• Luke 12:25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
• Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: