Most of the people in the church were adults, and yet Paul urged them to stop thinking as children and grow up. Strong, almost insulting words. It was because their worship meetings had become dominated by people speaking in tongues. God's Word took a low place and the enjoyment of their spiritual experience took over. It was like children playing with precious family treasures, without realising their full significance.
 
The Apostle often spoke in tongues. But he would choose to restrict his use of the gift to the time when he was in private with the Lord (Matthew 6:6). The church needed to be built on truth and not mystical experience. The local church was modelled more on the synagogue than the temple; it was a place for learning God's Word - without which there is nothing to obey and the door to evil is wide open.
 
In the Old Testament, God knew His people would stop listening to the prophets so He promised to send His message of judgement through the foreign invaders (Deuteronomy 28:49), whose language they could not understand. But the task of the church is to proclaim the gospel in a way in which it can be understood - leading towards salvation and away from judgement.
 
It is natural for children to only think about themselves. Without instruction they will not know right from wrong. As adult believers we delight in being a part of the Body of Christ where fellowship should be sweet and serving the Lord is wholesome. And yet we naturally drift back to assert our personal agendas. That is why the church needs to be a place for learning as well as worship, discipleship as well as heartfelt devotion. Pray for your church leaders that they will ensure that priority. Pray for yourself, that you will desire to be an actively learning disciple. Pray for those outside of Christ, that they may hear the gospel clearly and respond in repentance and faith, through your personal ministry and that of your church.