Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5881 immaturity
The result of insufficient growth, or a failure to develop to one's full potential.
Marks of physical immaturity
Pride
2 Samuel 15:1-4
Rejection of wise counsel
Deuteronomy 21:18; 1 Kings 12:8
Tactlessness
1 Kings 12:13-14
Lack of respect
2 Kings 2:23; Job 19:18
Weakness of character
2 Chronicles 13:7
Foolishness
Proverbs 22:15
Lack of understanding
Deuteronomy 1:39; Proverbs 1:4; Jonah 4:11; 1 Corinthians 13:11
Lack of self-control
Titus 2:6
Disgrace
Proverbs 29:15
Waste
Luke 15:13
Spiritual immaturity is to be avoided
1 Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 6:1 See also 2 Corinthians 13:9,11 The word “perfection” may be understood in terms of maturity; Ephesians 4:13,15; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12; James 1:4; 2 Peter 3:18
Marks of spiritual immaturity
Backsliding
Matthew 13:20-21 pp Mark 4:16-17 pp Luke 8:13 Jesus Christ to his disciples. See also Galatians 4:8-9
An over-sensitive conscience
Romans 14:2
Lack of spiritual understanding
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 See also Matthew 11:16-19 pp Luke 7:31-35; Hebrews 5:11-14
Divisiveness
1 Corinthians 3:3
Instability
Ephesians 4:14 See also James 1:6-7
1 Timothy 3:6 The church overseer must be a spiritually mature person. See also 1 Peter 5:5
Remedies for immaturity
Confession of sin
Proverbs 28:13 See also Jeremiah 3:13-22; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9
Discipline
Proverbs 3:11-12 See also Psalm 119:67-71; 1 Peter 4:1-2; Revelation 3:19
Prayer and meditation
Psalm 119:97-99 See also Psalm 119:27; John 17:17-19; Romans 8:26; Hebrews 4:16; James 1:25
See also
5652 babies 5664 children 5902 maturity 5925 rashness 6199 imperfection 8205 childlikeness 8230 discipline 8320 perfection 8339 self-control 8347 spiritual growth 8755 folly
