Is maturity something that is learned or earned?

[ArtsieSteph]

Just some thinking out loud, but I know that age doesn't necessarily beget maturity. But then that raises the question, what does? Is it experience? A sense of responsibility? Realizing that you have a lot to do in this world and just putting your foot down to go do it no matter how much you fail?

It's confusing.

 

[blue_ladybug]

​I think it's a mixture of personal experience, life lessons and a sense of responsibility. It is for me anyway..

 

[sealabeag]

For me immaturity is worldly frivolity. Therefore maturity, in the sense of being the opposite of immaturity, is a lack of concern for worldly frivolities, and having one's eyes set on Heaven. But one can still be childlike and free and be mature in spirit.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Just some thinking out loud, but I know that age doesn't necessarily beget maturity.

I find that it does in a sort of roundabout logic. Growing older is assumed to be synonymous with growing wiser, growing 'stronger', growing taller, etc. But I've seen those who stagnate. What I'm trying to say is that while aging isn't synonymous with self improvement in and of itself, experience comes with age, and it's experience and what we choose to take away from it that matures us, in my humble opinion, and in particular, hardship (as well as those we surround ourselves with, but that might be a separate discussion).

 

[IDEAtor]

"Mature" is not in the KJV, but it is found in the NIV. However, the KJV normally uses "perfect" or "perfection" where the NIV uses "mature" or "maturity." https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=mature&qs_version=NIV&limit=500 Ephesians 4:15, though, is an outlier. There, the NIV adds the word, rather than replace "perfect(ed/ion)." In fact, the KJV does not use "perfect" in any form. Still, both versions talk about growing in Him.

 

[Roh_Chris]

Maturity comes partly through life's experiences and partly through a personal decision. Both go hand-in-hand. I may have some personal experiences that taught me a lot but I must make the decision to use those experiences in a positive way. If I choose to wallow in self-pity or be bitter about it, those experiences are not going to make me mature. On the other hand, merely deciding to handle life maturely will not make me mature - I need the experiences to teach me lessons.

So, I feel that experiences and the personal decision are both required to make one a mature person. In fact, even the sense of responsibilty is a matter of decision, in my opinion.

 

[Jeshuvan]

Maturity comes from the Word of God.To enhance your walk with God,so he can increase your work with God.It is not confusing.It is learned over a lifetime.Meditate on Proverbs 2:1-6 and Proverbs 3:1-10.The highest form of maturity is when u trust in nothing,but the lord and his Word.Amen thats what Jesus did. GBU Jeshuvan

 

[Test_F_i_2_Luv]

Just some thinking out loud, but I know that age doesn't necessarily beget maturity. But then that raises the question, what does? Is it experience? A sense of responsibility? Realizing that you have a lot to do in this world and just putting your foot down to go do it no matter how much you fail?

It's confusing.

Life experiences will hopefully cause one to mature.

We learn from both our mistakes and our victories. We can mature either way, so long as we work to better ourselves and aren't being childish by blaming others and being irresponsible.

 

[hannahbeth1124]

I believe maturity in life experience is one thing it's own right, but true spiritual maturity is a never-ending, ever-growing walk with Jesus Christ. All the life experience in the world does you no good if you have no solid foundation in the Lord, or want to become closer and closer to His will for your life. At least in my experience. Hope this helps. Much love.

Just some thinking out loud, but I know that age doesn't necessarily beget maturity. But then that raises the question, what does? Is it experience? A sense of responsibility? Realizing that you have a lot to do in this world and just putting your foot down to go do it no matter how much you fail?

It's confusing.

 

[mapluces]

i think it is learned through our personal experience

 

[psychomom]

idk...(and i love that you included ppl like me in the poll choices )
...i know an awful lot of people my age and older (if that's even believable)
who don't show much maturity...

and ppl much, much younger who really do.

is there a difference between maturity in 'worldly' things and maturity in Christ?

sure.

 

[PopClick]

I don't think that experience necessarily begets maturity. You can go through a bunch of stuff, and decide afterwards that you want to hide from the world.

Of the choices given, I would say that maturity is a choice, which is spurred on by a sense of responsibility... and that sense of responsibility is often (but not always) brought about by experience.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

I don't think that experience necessarily begets maturity. You can go through a bunch of stuff, and decide afterwards that you want to hide from the world.

Of the choices given, I would say that maturity is a choice, which is spurred on by a sense of responsibility... and that sense of responsibility is often (but not always) brought about by experience.

Is that you, PopClick...? CC's trollolloler, replying to a thread on maturity?!

Well put though, for real. We can be presented with an opportunity to grow and not take it.

 

[PopClick]

Is that you, PopClick...? CC's trollolloler, replying to a thread on maturity?!

Well put though, for real. We can be presented with an opportunity to grow and not take it.

I can be mature when I want to be!

 

[Danny_Night]

In my point of view Maturity is not understanding big things, I feel its when you start understanding Small Things and it doesn't come through age it comes only through experience it means that Sensitivity, manners and How to React when and How. IBut in Christian Life I figured out that ...Christian After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent being to become spiritually mature. Well the Sweetest Verse I ever Came Across is Romans 12-14-18 which Speaks about Maturity....Emotional Maturity Is demonstrated by how kindly you treat those who mistreat or misunderstood you. Bottom Line Maturity Starts when Drams Ends HaHaHaHa Artsiesteph this is a Cool Topic you picked out!

 

[secularhermit]

Just some thinking out loud, but I know that age doesn't necessarily beget maturity. But then that raises the question, what does? Is it experience? A sense of responsibility? Realizing that you have a lot to do in this world and just putting your foot down to go do it no matter how much you fail?

It's confusing.

What´s maturity for you, 1st?

Experience? Yes

Responsibility? Yes

As a song said: "...you don´t have to be old to be wise..."

 

[11Eleven-Bravo]

I don't think you earn a mature status. Being mature is not some sort of titular achievement that you gain in the wake of meritorious action. It's just something that comes with time/experience/wisdom.

 

[Fubario]

It comes through obedience to the Spirit and Word, through service in the community, through fellowship, and through practice, practice, and practice of what you know is good (virtue and humility).

 

[phil38111]

Often people confuse a reserved, slow to speak, or let's just say outward appearance of maturity for real maturity. But let's dissect the word mature for a moment. fully developed in body or mind, as a person:a mature woman.


4.pertaining to or characteristic of full development:a mature appearance; fruit with a mature softness.


5.completed, perfected, or elaborated in full by the mind:mature plans.


A person can give an outward appearance of maturity, yet be childish in their mindset.

Most people are superficial and judge a person's maturity based on their outward appearance.

I personally think maturity is a product of acquiring wisdom over the years. And this could come from life experiences, that shape and mold a person's mind into maturity. I don't think just because a person likes to joke around a lot necessarily means they are immature. Life experiences and knowledge and wisdom they have acquired in their lifetime is what matures a person's mind.

My sister for example has been "mistaken for mature" because of her false outward appearance, but in reality she has the mind of a child. When judging a person's character it is important to see past the outward appearance of a person which is often deceptive, and look and see what is really going on inside of the person. I hate to put my sister on blast like this, but no one here knows her anyway, so. My sister is a drama queen, petty, jealous, spoiled, evil, controlling, amongst other things. Yet, people think she is mature because she is a good actress. So it is important not to judge a person's maturity level by their outward appearance because maturity has little to do with the outside and more of what is going on in a person's mind.

You strike me as a very mature woman by the way.

 

[phil38111]

I would also like to add that I don't think maturing spiritually is necessarily the same as maturing mentally. A person can be mature and not be spiritual at all. Not even be a christian.