Adult Adolesence

ADULT ADOLESCENCE HAS GOTTA GO

The Bible gives many examples of men who abdicated the

responsibilities of adulthood - much to the ruination of their

relationships. The sad thing is that little has changed over the

centuries. Many men - and women - continue to act contrary to

God's wishes.

Signs of Adult Adolescence are:

* deception

* denial

* distraction

* dislocation

* destruction

The first example of Adult Adolescence from the Bible is Adam,

who set a pattern that humans have followed ever since. Adam was

deceived into thinking the fruit and the knowledge it offered

were better than a relationship with God. When Adam took the

forbidden fruit, he denied God's sovereignty, and sinned against

Him. When God wanted Adam to accept responsibility for his

actions, Adam refused, and lost the manhood God had given him.

Adam was distracted to the point that he tried to hide from the

God who made him and ultimately was dislocated from the garden

God had provided. The final destruction came in the form of

spiritual death, for Adam and all his offspring forever.

Another example is an adulterer who is deceived into thinking no

one will know, denies doing anything wrong, is distracted in mind

by the illicit, is dislocated physically by going where he should

not, and eventually destroys the marital relationship.

How to act like an adult:

* Admit the truth. Denial is a barrier that prohibits cures,

healing, help, and salvation of every kind.

* Say NO to sin. Sin promises to serve and to please but in

reality enslaves and dominates your mind and body.

* Learn from observation. Not all lessons have to be learned by

experience. Learn from your family, history, and the Bible.

* Accept responsibility. Be a man - or woman - as God intended,

doing what is right, turning things around, living by

standards set by Jesus. Take a stand for Christ, for justice,

for what is right and true.

* Grow. You don't have to be the same person you were when you

were 16, 20, or 40. Christians are to grow up as mature

people, able to speak God's Word, understand His truths, and

think His thoughts from His Word.

* Quit being childish. When you don't get your way - in

traffic, the office, at home - you don't need to pull a

tantrum like a preschooler. Seek understanding with your

fellow man, decide beforehand to display good behavior.

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Edwin Louis Cole is founder and president of the

Christian Men's Network and speaks with a prophetic

voice to the men of his generation. He is an

internationally acclaimed speaker, television

personality, motivational lecturer, and best-selling

author of more than 14 books. He lives in Dallas,

Texas.

From Absolute Answers to Prodigal Problems by Edwin

Used by permission of Word Publishing, Nashville,

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