How can one "become like a child" while living in the world we live in?

[curioussaint25]

I've always considered myself to be a little naive to things, especially since I am getting older in life (almost 30). But as I've become converted, I started feeling that maybe my "naive thinking" was actually a blessing from God bc I never chose to think the worse of people or their intentions, although I had some assumptions about things as most people do.

Reading the scriptures, I felt as if God was saying it's better to not be built up in the "wisdom" of the world. There are also the verses found in Matthew 18:3-5 and Luke 18:17 that state we should be like children in order to inherit God's Kingdom.

I know we should not act childish in the traditional sense, but I took this to mean we as adults should try to mimick the forgiving nature, the not thinking or assuming the worst of people and their intentions and the being oblivious to wrong-doings that seem to come naturally to kids.

But in a world where people often have alterior motives (even sometimes friends or worse family) and might be attempting to lead us astray, how are we supposed to thrwart these things if we only think "good thoughts"? And if the answer is that Christ will fight our battles for us bc he knows the mind and hearts and intentions of all, how can he fight these battles while still being this just and fair God? Wouldn't that mean he has a devious mind if he's fighting your battles for you against any devious or I'll-willed doings? How can that be if he's a God of only love and peace?

[Ezra]

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this.

Life is more about forgetting what we learned that the world has taught us then learning what we don't know.

Forget the hurts. The fears. And so on. So that we can speak boldly without fear. Love without fear. Live without fear.

Life is really good without those fears we learned Young in life. Forget them and be a kid again.

It's been a process but I'm glad I'm taken it.

[David13]

It seems like you have many questions, stated as one question.
As to your age. You are a child, as I see it. I'm 66.
As to some things you do I would say 'kids!.'
I am like a child in several ways.
Simplicity. I like simple things. To sit by a beautiful mountain lake, snow covered mountains around, and just enjoy sitting there. No tv, no internet, no video or phone games, no text and the thousand other things that are "high tech?" and low usefulness in the long consideration of things.
I enjoy a simple motorcycle ride.
I'm eager and enthusiastic like a child about a lot of things.
Playing with my guns, I'm a boy with my toys.
Cleaning, fixing, etc., also the car and motorcycle. It's a simple joy to put in new spark plugs.
As to the lack of maliciousness of children, you forget elementary school, how some of them were monsters.
There are some very righteous young people, but even in my young years there were evil monsters.
I'd say probably the most child-like you can be is, eager, ready and willing to learn something new, every day, every hour.
dc

[freedomforall]

Here is the answer in a nutshell:

Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
1) the natural man is an enemy to God
2) yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit
3) put off the natural man
4) become a saint through the atonement of Christ
5) become as a child
6) submissive
7) meek
8) humble
9) patient
10) full of love
11) willing to submit to all things which the Lord sees fit to inflict upon him
12) as a child submits to his father

1 Cor. 14:20
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Why, do some wonder?

Here is Christ as an example:

Hebrews 5:8
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; #12 above.

[Robert Sinclair]

A little child does not go and kill people.

A little child is harmless to any adult.

More like a lamb and a dove and not like a wolf or bear or lion or venomous creature of any kind.

As an adult if you can have the wisdom of Jesus Christ, and be as harmless as he was, except for a little excitement at the temple with the exchangers, which I do not feel he truly harmed a single one of them, just let them know, this was forbidden in the strongest terms possible, yes, if you can be full of wisdom, yet harmless as a lamb, or a little child is to an adult, this is the spirit of that to have, if you would enter into the Father's kingdom, wise, yet harmless as can be, to any living soul, manifested here during the day of your probation, that of your own freewill this is how you choose to be, harmless to others, no matter what they do to you, even if they stole from you, it is just let go, or if they hurt you or harm you, no harm or hurt is returned, and even if they would kill you, in the most distressing manner possible, you forgive, and remain harmless, as Jesus Christ did.♡

[dauser]

Baptism is a death....baptism is a birth and becoming like a little child.

The sacramental partaking of Dad's flesh, life, name, spirit on His holy day...is like birth.
New clothes the new home (temple).

We are dying, like Adam and Eve.

To get out of here alive, we take off the dying Adamic in the watery grave of baptism and put on the living Christ as we leave the baptismal womb.

The Christmas story birth of Jesus Christ is symbolic to.....OUR BIRTH and our story... just as sacred and just as holy. Christmas is not just about Jesus Christ, and His divine parentage...it is also about YOU and yours.

[Sirocco]

Here is the answer in a nutshell:

Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
1) the natural man is an enemy to God
2) yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit
3) put off the natural man
4) become a saint through the atonement of Christ
5) become as a child
6) submissive
7) meek
8) humble
9) patient
10) full of love
11) willing to submit to all things which the Lord sees fit to inflict upon him
12) as a child submits to his father

1 Cor. 14:20
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Why, do some wonder?

Here is Christ as an example:

Hebrews 5:8
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; #12 above.

I argued with my father about everything lol
From a young age I seemed to have a low view of the world, I always knew it was cruel and unforgiving. I am the opposite of most of those things lol

[Analyzing]

Mimic how they live and remember your spiritual family.

Children, provided with some type of parental figure, live with love. They continually seek affirmation of that love. They live with faith that their parents will always provide shelter and never abandon them. Faith that their parents know best; having doubts and complaints about doctors and school, they go. They live in security as long as a parental figure is near or available. They go to their parents to have their fears dispelled and find solace. Parents counsel, encourage and inspire children when a fear needs to be addressed. Children dream of their future. They focus on who they want to become and don't let people persuade them they cannot accomplish that goal. They do not concern themselves with what they do not control. They are optimists. They believe that their needs will be provided for no matter what turmoil occurs in the world. It may be a bowl of soup instead of the cookies they thought were a good idea. It may be a pair of practical shoes, from the bargain store, instead of the fairy princess or super hero shoes they found enticing. Their wants(other than the occasional unicorn) are simple and pertinent. They are quick to forgive despite the number of disputes they may have with siblings.

Children do not approach the unknown without guidance and protection near. It is fun to watch children, thinking they are brave, looking to make sure family or friends are nearby. They seek verification of unknown people places and circumstances before participating. If children find something hurtful or harmful they leave quickly. etc...

Just a few thoughts. I hope they may be of use.

[mes5464]

You are to become as a little child only in your relationship with God, not the world.

[freedomforall]

Remember Mosiah 3:19

[Ezra]

Here is the answer in a nutshell:

Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
1) the natural man is an enemy to God
2) yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit
3) put off the natural man
4) become a saint through the atonement of Christ
5) become as a child
6) submissive
7) meek
8) humble
9) patient
10) full of love
11) willing to submit to all things which the Lord sees fit to inflict upon him
12) as a child submits to his father

1 Cor. 14:20
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Why, do some wonder?

Here is Christ as an example:

Hebrews 5:8
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; #12 above.

I argued with my father about everything lol
From a young age I seemed to have a low view of the world, I always knew it was cruel and unforgiving. I am the opposite of most of those things lol

If you say it "is" Or "is not" you are right only for you.

Your thinking is toxic. But you will hold onto it like its gold because that's all you know and is comfortable. Some day the pain of the insanity of your incorrect thinking will eventually be enough to break down the incorrect thoughts.
When that happens the world will go from horrible and harsh to what it accually is. One of gods perfect creations to do it's perfect task.

[Sirocco]

I have always maintained my thoughts and beliefs are entirely my own and I doubt they'd work for other people.
All I see is cruelty, and sadness and pain, to live is to feel pain in some form.
For all life, life is a struggle.
Everyone is cruel, both sides, some of the worst most hateful things I've seen been said by people who considered themselves very loving.
I never said what I thought was right, only that it is mine.
I see very little to love about the world around me.
Any side of it.

[freedomforall]

I have always maintained my thoughts and beliefs are entirely my own and I doubt they'd work for other people.
All I see is cruelty, and sadness and pain, to live is to feel pain in some form.
For all life, life is a struggle.
Everyone is cruel, both sides, some of the worst most hateful things I've seen been said by people who considered themselves very loving.
I never said what I thought was right, only that it is mine.
I see very little to love about the world around me.
Any side of it.

I love to go on walks at local parks...at night. Lots of beautiful trees and solitude. I look around at God's creation an embellishment of places not yet destroyed by mankind. One is a Wildlife Refuge, so it stays protected.

There is places of sanctuary if one looks. Makes one's life a little more pleasant, would it not?

[Rose Garden]

I've always considered myself to be a little naive to things, especially since I am getting older in life (almost 30). But as I've become converted, I started feeling that maybe my "naive thinking" was actually a blessing from God bc I never chose to think the worse of people or their intentions, although I had some assumptions about things as most people do.

Reading the scriptures, I felt as if God was saying it's better to not be built up in the "wisdom" of the world. There are also the verses found in Matthew 18:3-5 and Luke 18:17 that state we should be like children in order to inherit God's Kingdom.

I know we should not act childish in the traditional sense, but I took this to mean we as adults should try to mimick the forgiving nature, the not thinking or assuming the worst of people and their intentions and the being oblivious to wrong-doings that seem to come naturally to kids.

But in a world where people often have alterior motives (even sometimes friends or worse family) and might be attempting to lead us astray, how are we supposed to thrwart these things if we only think "good thoughts"? And if the answer is that Christ will fight our battles for us bc he knows the mind and hearts and intentions of all, how can he fight these battles while still being this just and fair God? Wouldn't that mean he has a devious mind if he's fighting your battles for you against any devious or I'll-willed doings? How can that be if he's a God of only love and peace?

When we think of little children, especially when we apply the words of the scriptures to them, we tend to put aside reality and create some sort of image that does not reflect the truth. If a child believes something is unfair, they let you know. They will physically resist and verbally resist (usually at the top of their lungs). Of course, their bodies are small and weak and so in the end they usually give in to the will of the adults anyway.

Jesus never said we shouldn't act childish. He said become like a little child. Period. No exceptions, hedging, or equivocating.

The thing is, we have to totally become like a little child. It's a process. If we just start acting like little children, we'd be in big trouble. That's because we don't understand the laws that little children understand instinctively. Little children are subject to eternal law. They act differently when put under the stewardship of good parents than they do when put under the stewardship of unrighteous parents.

Our parent is supposed to be God. If we would allow him to change us to become like a little child then we would act like a little child does who has good parents who understand the principles of discipline.