20: Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

He doesn’t want you to be immature in your understanding of spiritual things.  But you can be a child, or immature, when it comes to matters of evil.  You don’t want to be an expert concerning evil things, but you do want to understand what the Lord wants concerning spiritual gifts, which is what this verse is referring to.

By seeking the Lord and studying His Word you can grow in your understanding of spiritual things.  The Lord has put those spiritual gifts in the body for a reason and they serve an important purpose.  Anything the Lord has given to us we need to learn how to use.

Paul goes on to say in verses 21-25 that prophesy and tongues with the interpretation are a sign for unbelievers.  As the secrets of their heart are made manifest they will fall down and worship God.  Those gifts serve a purpose of drawing people to the Lord and edifying the body of Christ.

Confession: