Small children have very effective tools to get what they are after. The tools can be charming, such as smiling, reaching for a hug, & sweet talk. But they can also yell, scream, cry, pout and kick. Childlike behavior can be very effective. In fact, it works so well, that it often is continued into adult life!

    Anger, wrath, and use of tears as tools to manipulate others is part of our sinful nature. Why do adults sulk when they can't have what they want? Because it worked in the past, and it still works for them.

    Here was a couple struggling with both temper tantrums and pouting. Their large home was the scene of much conflict. He wished she were more orderly; she wished he were less rigid. One day he flew into a rage over the disarray in her closet, slammed the door, got into his car and roared away, spinning the wheels as he went. The silence continued for three days. She pouted in response to his tantrum. She would teach him not to yell at her. This interaction had been going on between them for many years!

    Anger, rebellion, pouting, & selfishness are part of our sinful nature, and cause us to miss out on the happiness and joy that comes from living lives with Christ in control. The only way to acquire the quality of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that Gal 5.22.23 talks about is to recognize that you lack of them, and to allow the Holy Spirit to give you something you don't have.

    In order to develop spiritually, we must recognize any childish, sinful behavior that has continued into our adult life. Only God can cure the situation. He alone can clean our hearts from envy, strife, divisions, pouting, temper tantrums and deceptive manipulation of others.