CLICKING WITH HIM

“We must no longer be infants (νήπιοι), tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of teaching, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in methodical scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Eph 4: 14-15)

Here the Apostle uses the word “infants” (νήπιοι), which is often used in the New Testament in a negative sense, signifying an immaturity and gullibility that is easily influenced and manipulated. It is not the same word used by the Lord, when He tells us to be like “children” (παιδία).

St. Paul’s warning is particularly important today, in the age of the internet. We are confronted with various opinions and messages, be it in the form of advertising, news, or comments on social media, which mostly flow at us in a chaotic and coincidental manner. Almost imperceptibly we can find ourselves “tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of teaching,” clicking on contents that might be unnecessary, burdensome, or even damaging for our spiritual health. An indiscriminate absorption of all this information can negatively affect my capacity to “speak the truth in love.”

Today let me begin my day by firmly establishing my focus on Christ, in prayer and quiet contemplation of His word. Let me strive to “grow up in every way into him who is the head,” and let Him be the anchor of my thoughts, words, and “clicks.”