What is Childlike Faith – 7 Ways Children Demonstrate True Faith

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What is childlike faith? Picture a young child reaching up to hold their parent’s hand while crossing a busy street – there’s no hesitation, no doubt, just complete trust that they’ll be guided safely to the other side. This simple yet profound image captures the essence of the faith Jesus spoke about when He said we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.

In exploring this crucial aspect of spiritual life, we’ll dive deep into four key elements that make childlike faith so powerful: unwavering trust, pure-hearted acceptance, natural wonder, and the beautiful simplicity of dependent faith. These characteristics challenge our adult tendencies to overcomplicate our relationship with God and remind us of the freedom found in simple belief.

The journey to understanding childlike faith isn’t about becoming immature or abandoning reason. Instead, it’s about rediscovering those precious qualities that children naturally possess – qualities that can transform our spiritual walk and deepen our connection with God. Through biblical examples and practical applications, we’ll learn how to embrace this transformative approach to faith.

1. Trust Like a Child Trusts Their Parent (Matthew 18:2-4)

Last summer, I watched my 4-year-old nephew jump into the pool without hesitation, fully confident his father would catch him. That moment crystallized for me what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:2-4 when He called a little child to stand among His disciples and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Children possess an extraordinary ability to trust completely. They don’t lie awake at night wondering if breakfast will be on the table the next morning. They don’t calculate the probability of their parents’ love failing. This pure, unquestioning trust is what Jesus highlighted when He taught about faith. In Matthew 6:26, He reminds us, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

As adults, we often complicate trust with our past experiences, anxieties, and what-if scenarios. We’ve been hurt, disappointed, and let down, making it harder to trust freely. But God calls us to return to that childlike trust – not blind faith, but a deep, unwavering confidence in His character and promises. Just as David expressed in Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.”

This trust isn’t about abandoning wisdom or responsibility. Rather, it’s about approaching our relationship with God with the same pure confidence a child has in their loving parent. When circumstances look impossible, when our paths seem unclear, we’re called to trust like my nephew did – knowing that our Father’s arms are strong enough to catch us, guide us, and keep us safe.

2. Accept Without Complexity (Mark 10:15)

“Daddy, why is the sky blue?” My daughter asked this simple question one morning, and I launched into an explanation about light wavelengths and atmospheric scatter. She just smiled and said, “Because God made it that way, right?” Her response stopped me in my tracks, illustrating perfectly what Jesus meant in Mark 10:15: “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Children have an remarkable ability to accept truth without needing to dissect every detail. They don’t require a philosophical discourse to believe in love, or a scientific paper to accept joy. This simplicity isn’t ignorance – it’s a pure acceptance that cuts through the complexity we adults often create. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Think about how children accept love. They don’t question if they deserve it or analyze the motivations behind it. They simply receive it, embrace it, and return it. This is the kind of acceptance God desires from us. In Romans 8:15, Paul explains, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.”

Too often, we build elaborate theological frameworks and philosophical arguments around our faith, missing the beautiful simplicity of God’s truth. While study and understanding are valuable, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom belongs to those who can accept it with the straightforward trust of a child.

3. Embrace Complete Dependence (Psalm 131:2)

Have you ever watched a toddler learning to walk? They don’t attend seminars on proper walking techniques or read books about balance and momentum. Instead, they naturally reach for their parent’s hands, completely at peace with their dependence. This beautiful picture reflects what David wrote in Psalm 131:2: “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”

In our independent, self-reliant culture, dependence often carries a negative connotation. We praise self-made success stories and celebrate individual achievement. Yet, Jesus consistently taught the opposite – that true spiritual strength comes through acknowledging our complete dependence on God. As He said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

This dependence isn’t about being helpless or inactive. Rather, it’s about recognizing the source of our strength and capability. Just as a child naturally turns to their parent for help with tasks beyond their ability, we’re called to lean on God’s strength rather than our own. Paul captured this paradox perfectly in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

When we embrace this childlike dependence, we find freedom from the exhausting pressure to figure everything out on our own. We discover the peace that comes from knowing we don’t have to be strong enough, wise enough, or capable enough – because our Father is all of these things for us.

4. Maintain Wonder and Awe (Matthew 19:14)

Yesterday, my six-year-old daughter spent twenty minutes watching a caterpillar inch its way across our garden path. Her eyes sparkled with wonder, and she gasped with delight at each tiny movement. When was the last time we adults stopped to marvel at God’s creation with such pure amazement? This is exactly what Jesus pointed to when He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Children possess an innate ability to see wonder in the ordinary. A cardboard box becomes a ocean liner, a blanket transforms into a royal cape, and a simple rainbow causes squeals of joy. This sense of wonder isn’t just about being easily entertained – it’s about maintaining an open heart that recognizes God’s fingerprints in everything around us. As David proclaimed in Psalm 8:3-4, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?”

Unfortunately, as we grow older, familiarity often breeds indifference. We become so accustomed to the miracle of sunrise that we forget to thank God for it. We’re so used to the complexity of our bodies that we forget to marvel at the Creator who designed them. Yet Scripture reminds us in Romans 1:20 that “God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”

Reclaiming this childlike sense of wonder means intentionally slowing down to notice God’s handiwork in the everyday moments. It means trading our world-weary cynicism for wide-eyed amazement at His goodness and creativity. When we do this, we begin to see life through the fresh perspective that Jesus encouraged – full of awe, appreciation, and genuine worship.

5. Forgive and Forget Quickly (Matthew 18:21-22)

I recently watched two children on a playground get into an argument over a swing. Within minutes, they were back to playing together, laughing as if nothing had happened. This scene perfectly illustrates what Jesus taught about forgiveness when Peter asked Him, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Children have an extraordinary capacity for forgiveness that we adults often struggle to emulate. They don’t keep elaborate spreadsheets of wrongs suffered or maintain detailed grudge lists. Instead, they forgive quickly and move forward with open hearts. This mirrors God’s heart for forgiveness, as described in Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

The beauty of childlike forgiveness lies not just in the act of forgiving, but in the complete restoration of relationship that follows. When children forgive, they don’t bring up past offenses during future disagreements. They don’t harbor underlying resentment or keep score. This pure forgiveness reflects God’s promise in Hebrews 8:12: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean we should be naive about genuine harm or ignore the need for healthy boundaries. Rather, it’s about approaching forgiveness with the same pure intention that children do – seeking restoration rather than revenge, healing rather than hurt. As Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

6. Live in the Present Moment (Matthew 6:25-26)

Have you ever noticed how children rarely worry about next week’s weather or next year’s school schedule? My son reminded me of this recently when I was fretting about future plans. While I was lost in worry, he was fully absorbed in building his LEGO castle, completely present in his moment of joy. This is exactly what Jesus addressed when He said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:25-26).

Children naturally live in the present moment, finding joy in what’s right in front of them. They don’t burden themselves with yesterday’s mistakes or tomorrow’s uncertainties. This present-focused mindset isn’t about being irresponsible or unprepared – it’s about trusting God enough to fully engage with the moment He’s given us right now. As Jesus emphasized in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Living in the present also means being fully available to experience God’s presence. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Children naturally understand this stillness – they know how to be fully present in a moment without their minds racing to the next thing. They don’t need to practice mindfulness techniques; they simply exist in the now, fully trusting that their needs will be met.

7. Stay Teachable and Eager to Learn (Proverbs 1:5)

“But why?” It’s the question that can drive parents crazy, yet it reveals one of the most precious aspects of childlike faith – an insatiable desire to learn and understand. This eager curiosity is exactly what Solomon praised when he wrote, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).

Children approach life as an endless adventure of discovery. They ask questions without fear of appearing foolish, try new things without fear of failure, and admit when they don’t know something without feeling shame. This teachable spirit is what Jesus referred to when He said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25).

The humility to remain teachable is essential for spiritual growth. James 1:5 encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Children understand this instinctively – they know they don’t have all the answers, and they’re okay with that. They’re comfortable being learners, which paradoxically often makes them the wisest among us.

This eagerness to learn should characterize our spiritual journey. Like the Bereans who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day” (Acts 17:11), we should maintain that childlike enthusiasm for discovering more about God and His truth. It means approaching Scripture with fresh eyes, prayer with expectant hearts, and Christian community with openness to learn from others’ experiences and insights.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our exploration of childlike faith, let’s remember that Jesus wasn’t calling us to be childish, but to embrace the pure, genuine qualities that make children such powerful examples of authentic faith. The simplicity with which children trust, forgive, wonder, and learn offers us a profound roadmap for deepening our own spiritual journey.

In a world that often prizes complexity and self-reliance, embracing childlike faith might seem counterintuitive. Yet, as we’ve seen through these seven biblical explanations, there’s remarkable wisdom in returning to this simple, pure approach to our relationship with God. Whether it’s trusting without reservation like my nephew at the pool, accepting truth with the straightforward clarity of my daughter’s view of the sky, or maintaining wonder like a child discovering a caterpillar in the garden, each aspect of childlike faith invites us into a deeper, more authentic connection with our heavenly Father.

Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:3 weren’t just a suggestion – they were a revolutionary call to transform our approach to faith: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Today, may we have the courage to lay aside our adult complications and embrace the beautiful simplicity of childlike faith. After all, perhaps the greatest wisdom lies in becoming like a child all over again.

Remember, cultivating childlike faith isn’t about diminishing our maturity or intelligence. Instead, it’s about recapturing those pure, uncluttered qualities that make children such beautiful examples of genuine faith. As we strive to trust more completely, forgive more readily, wonder more openly, and learn more eagerly, we draw closer to the kind of faith that Jesus described as essential for experiencing the fullness of His kingdom.