“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:1-2
Innocence of a Child
When we think about the heart of a child, we recognize their innocence and purity. Children approach life with a joyful spirit and a simple trust that reminds us of how we should relate to God. Their hearts are full of wonder and they see the world from a fresh perspective. In the Bible, Jesus teaches us that the innocence of a child holds immense value. He emphasizes that we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. This means we should have a simple, trusting faith, one not clouded by the worries of adulthood.
Matthew 18:3
“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ – Matthew 18:3
Luke 18:17
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Luke 18:17
Mark 10:14
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Mark 10:14
Matthew 19:14
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'” – Matthew 19:14
Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 18:10
Faith of a Child
A child’s heart is characterized by faith that is unwavering and full of trust. They believe without doubt, which is a profound lesson for us as adults. Jesus called us to have that same kind of faith so that we may truest connect with Him. When we look at the heart of a child, we see a deep well of faith that encourages us to trust more in God. Their ability to simply believe in the miraculous is an invitation for us to revisit our own relationships with faith.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
1 Peter 1:8
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” – 1 Peter 1:8
Romans 10:17
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1
Matthew 21:22
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22
Love of a Child
The heart of a child is filled with love, and their willingness to love is without boundaries. Children express love freely, and they are quick to forgive. This reminds us that we should cultivate love in our hearts, allowing it to flow into our relationships with one another and with God. Love is central to our faith and relationships, and children embody this beautifully. They view love as a natural element of life, which is a beautiful aspect we should all strive to emulate.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
Teachable Spirit of a Child
Children possess an inherent teachable spirit. They are eager to learn about the world around them and are open to guidance. As we dive into spiritual lessons, we can take a page from their book. Teaching them the ways of God involves not just sharing knowledge, but also having the patience and understanding to nurture their hearts. We are called to be disciples and learn from Him, much like how children absorb information in their innocent desire for understanding.
Proverbs 1:8
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” – Proverbs 1:8
Psalm 25:4-5
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5
Proverbs 4:1
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” – Proverbs 4:1
Matthew 11:29
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5
Joy of a Child
The heart of a child is a heart full of joy. They express happiness in the simplest of moments, reminding us that joy is a choice we can make daily. As children play or discover new things, they do so with genuine delight, and this is an area where we can grow as adults. We are encouraged to find joy in our day-to-day experiences, much like a child does. The Bible teaches us to rejoice and seek joy in the presence of the Lord, inviting us to reflect that joyful spirit in everything we do.
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
Nehemiah 8:10
“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Rejoice always.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Forgiveness of a Child
The heart of a child is quick to forgive, reminding us of God’s grace and mercy. Children don’t hold grudges and they often forget the wrongs done to them, teaching us a lesson in the power of forgiveness. Jesus encourages us to also forgive others, as we have been forgiven. This ability to let go of resentment is essential in our walk. Each time we forgive, we reflect God’s love and mercy, which strengthens our relationships with others and allows us to maintain peace in our hearts.
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25
Humility of a Child
Children naturally possess a spirit of humility; they do not see themselves as better than others. They are often willing to learn from adult figures and their peers. Jesus teaches us about humility, and He shows us that to be great in the kingdom of God, one must be humble. The humble heart of a child sets an example for us in how we should approach life and maintain our relationships with one another. Becoming humble allows us to grow closer to God and align more with His purpose for our lives.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Proverbs 22:4
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Final Thoughts
The heart of a child is a treasure. As we reflect on the qualities of a child’s heart, we see the teachings of Jesus come to life. Their innocence, faith, love, teachable spirit, joy, capacity for forgiveness, and humility are all attributes we should embody in our own lives. They remind us that simplicity in faith is vital, and that we must approach our relationship with God much like a child would.
Let’s commit to nurturing our own hearts and aim to adopt the pure qualities of a child’s heart. As we do this, we can grow closer to God and become more like Jesus intended us to be. We can foster an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and wholehearted faith, building a community that reflects His love.
As you consider the lessons from the heart of a child, I encourage you to explore more scriptures about the gift of children and the beauty of raising them in the love of the Lord. Remember that every moment you share with the next generation is an opportunity to reflect the heart of Christ.
Explore more topics like the gift of children or the gift of a child for further inspiration.