May 22nd, 2026
Last week, we talked about the saying “familiarity breeds contempt.”
It’s the idea that the more familiar you are with something, the less appreciation you have for it. We specifically discussed it regarding people and relationships. Jesus said in Matthew 13:57, “a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown.” Those that knew Him best honored Him least. However, the truth is, familiarity can breed contempt, but it doesn’t have to.
This week, I’ve been thinking about how this idea extends beyond people—especially regarding the things of God. If we allow ourselves to do things aligned with the Word of God out of familiarity or habit, contempt, neglect, disrespect, and disregard are sure to follow.
For example, if we get so familiar with going to church that it becomes just part of a routine or an item on a checklist, we will dread going and look forward to the end. Attending church, meeting together as believers, is necessary according to the Word of God (Hebrews 10:25). However, if it becomes a chore, we will end up like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day who did the religious activities but missed the point entirely.
They prayed.
They fasted.
They gave.
They went to the synagogue.
They knew and taught the Word of God.
They did everything right, and yet Jesus called them hypocrites who looked great on the outside but were full of dead men’s bones.
So, how do we become immersed in the things of God without allowing familiarity to bring contempt? How do we keep religion from contaminating pure and genuine faith? I believe the answer is simple.
Matthew 11:25 says,
‘At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children…”’
Just before this verse, Jesus denounced cities in which He’d been rejected. Jesus didn’t mean in this verse that truth was hidden from those who were truly wise, but those who thought themselves wise and understanding. He also didn’t mean truth was revealed only to those who were physically children, but those who came to receive like children.
See, children, living in the safety that children should, are still in awe of the world around them. There is a newness that makes simple things in life seem extraordinary. They experience wonder freely. Have you ever had the opportunity to tell a “well-known” Bible story to a child who has never heard it? There is nothing like it. I once got to tell my favorite Bible story, David and Goliath, to a child who had never read it, heard it, or watched a Christian video about it. The story was brand new. The wonder on his face as he heard the story for the first time could not have been fabricated. Wonder is a gift borne of innocence, humility, teachability, and openness. However, when Jesus said truth was revealed to little children, He didn’t mean only physical children.
Matthew 16:13-17 says,
‘When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.”’
Jesus said in the verse above that the Father hid truth from the “wise” and revealed it to the children. Here we see also that the Father revealed this truth to Simon Peter. Peter was not a child, but he had an openness and teachability that allowed him to hear truth and receive revelation others could not. God has so many things He wants to teach us and give us, if we will only come as children, with trust in our hearts, with our arms and eyes wide open.
How do we keep familiarity with the things of God from breeding contempt? We come to the Father as children, again and again.
Matthew 18:3 says,
““Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Innocence, teachability, and humility are all characteristics that can be fashioned in our hearts by the work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. We can become like little children and stay like little children for the rest of our lives. It’s the only way we will continue to receive and experience new things in the Lord until the day He calls us home. An elderly man or woman who is passionate for God after walking with Him for decades does not come to Him as a grandparent, a pastor, a teacher, a veteran, or anything else. If they have stayed on fire for Him for a lifetime, it’s because they have come to Him as a child, again and again. As long as we live, we get to come to Him as little children!
1 John 3:1 says,
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
If we continually come as His children, allowing Him to purify, shape, discipline, and teach us, we will never stop growing. We will never stop learning new things and experiencing His presence in new ways. We will read the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit will bring it to life, as if it’s the first time we’ve read it. Relationship with God will never feel like a religious duty if we never lose our wonder!
This week, we encourage you to come to Him as His child, first and foremost. Every other aspect of your identity must flow out of the truth that you are His son or daughter. It is in that place alone you will find rest and renewal. It’s in that place you will find wonder and awe for the things of God. Familiarity with the things of God will not breed contempt or religious labor if we never stop coming as children! Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). He is waiting with open arms for you to come as a child to his Father!
It’s the idea that the more familiar you are with something, the less appreciation you have for it. We specifically discussed it regarding people and relationships. Jesus said in Matthew 13:57, “a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown.” Those that knew Him best honored Him least. However, the truth is, familiarity can breed contempt, but it doesn’t have to.
This week, I’ve been thinking about how this idea extends beyond people—especially regarding the things of God. If we allow ourselves to do things aligned with the Word of God out of familiarity or habit, contempt, neglect, disrespect, and disregard are sure to follow.
For example, if we get so familiar with going to church that it becomes just part of a routine or an item on a checklist, we will dread going and look forward to the end. Attending church, meeting together as believers, is necessary according to the Word of God (Hebrews 10:25). However, if it becomes a chore, we will end up like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day who did the religious activities but missed the point entirely.
They prayed.
They fasted.
They gave.
They went to the synagogue.
They knew and taught the Word of God.
They did everything right, and yet Jesus called them hypocrites who looked great on the outside but were full of dead men’s bones.
So, how do we become immersed in the things of God without allowing familiarity to bring contempt? How do we keep religion from contaminating pure and genuine faith? I believe the answer is simple.
Matthew 11:25 says,
‘At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children…”’
Just before this verse, Jesus denounced cities in which He’d been rejected. Jesus didn’t mean in this verse that truth was hidden from those who were truly wise, but those who thought themselves wise and understanding. He also didn’t mean truth was revealed only to those who were physically children, but those who came to receive like children.
See, children, living in the safety that children should, are still in awe of the world around them. There is a newness that makes simple things in life seem extraordinary. They experience wonder freely. Have you ever had the opportunity to tell a “well-known” Bible story to a child who has never heard it? There is nothing like it. I once got to tell my favorite Bible story, David and Goliath, to a child who had never read it, heard it, or watched a Christian video about it. The story was brand new. The wonder on his face as he heard the story for the first time could not have been fabricated. Wonder is a gift borne of innocence, humility, teachability, and openness. However, when Jesus said truth was revealed to little children, He didn’t mean only physical children.
Matthew 16:13-17 says,
‘When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.”’
Jesus said in the verse above that the Father hid truth from the “wise” and revealed it to the children. Here we see also that the Father revealed this truth to Simon Peter. Peter was not a child, but he had an openness and teachability that allowed him to hear truth and receive revelation others could not. God has so many things He wants to teach us and give us, if we will only come as children, with trust in our hearts, with our arms and eyes wide open.
How do we keep familiarity with the things of God from breeding contempt? We come to the Father as children, again and again.
Matthew 18:3 says,
““Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Innocence, teachability, and humility are all characteristics that can be fashioned in our hearts by the work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. We can become like little children and stay like little children for the rest of our lives. It’s the only way we will continue to receive and experience new things in the Lord until the day He calls us home. An elderly man or woman who is passionate for God after walking with Him for decades does not come to Him as a grandparent, a pastor, a teacher, a veteran, or anything else. If they have stayed on fire for Him for a lifetime, it’s because they have come to Him as a child, again and again. As long as we live, we get to come to Him as little children!
1 John 3:1 says,
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
If we continually come as His children, allowing Him to purify, shape, discipline, and teach us, we will never stop growing. We will never stop learning new things and experiencing His presence in new ways. We will read the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit will bring it to life, as if it’s the first time we’ve read it. Relationship with God will never feel like a religious duty if we never lose our wonder!
This week, we encourage you to come to Him as His child, first and foremost. Every other aspect of your identity must flow out of the truth that you are His son or daughter. It is in that place alone you will find rest and renewal. It’s in that place you will find wonder and awe for the things of God. Familiarity with the things of God will not breed contempt or religious labor if we never stop coming as children! Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). He is waiting with open arms for you to come as a child to his Father!
No Comments