YOU CAN NOT ENTER HEAVEN

“Unless You Become Like Little Children”

We read in Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What Does Jesus Mean by This?

Jesus’ words here are both simple and deeply profound. He wasn’t saying we should become childish but childlike. There is a difference. Being childish involves immaturity, but being childlike involves humility, trust, dependence, and a sincere heart.

When Jesus said we must “change and become like little children,” He was pointing to the way a child completely relies on their parents. Children know they can’t do life on their own they need help getting dressed, preparing food, staying safe, and making decisions. They don’t worry about tomorrow because they trust their parents to handle what they can’t.

In the same way, we are to come before God with that same heart of dependence.

God Is Our Father, We Are His Children

Just like a child looks up to their earthly parents, we’re called to look to our Heavenly Father not just as a figure of authority, but as our provider, protector, teacher, and source of life. Children instinctively run to their parents when they’re hurt, afraid, or in need. They believe what they say, they follow their voice, and they rely on them daily.

This is how Jesus wants us to approach God:

With trust, even when we don’t understand.
With obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable.
With dependence, knowing we can’t do it without Him.
With humility, acknowledging we don’t have all the answers.

Denying Ourselves and Relying Fully on God

Jesus calls us to deny ourselves (Luke 9:23) that means letting go of control and submitting our decisions, plans, and desires to the Father’s will. It’s the opposite of the self-reliance the world encourages.

Most people today are taught to “be independent,” “make your own way,” or “follow your truth.” But the kingdom of God operates on a different principle: humble dependence. We must unlearn the world’s way of living and return to the childlike posture of faith, where God leads and we follow.

Do Most People Really Do This?

In truth, many struggle with this kind of surrender. It’s not easy to give up control or admit we can’t do it on our own. Pride, fear, and the desire for independence can block us from truly trusting God the way a child trusts a father. Many people say they trust God but still hold on to their own plans, make their own decisions, and only turn to God when something goes wrong.

But Jesus is clear: without becoming like children, changing our mindset and posture toward God, we can’t even enter the kingdom.

Reflection Questions

What does it look like to truly depend on God in your daily life?
In what areas are you still trying to “do it yourself” instead of trusting the Father?
How can you practice being more childlike in your faith?

Living in Total Dependence on God

A deeper look into the scriptures

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

What Did Jesus Mean?

Jesus often used simple examples to teach deep spiritual truths. In Matthew 18, His disciples asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus responded not with a list of accomplishments or spiritual gifts, but by pointing to a child. Then He said something shocking: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

This wasn’t just a lesson about greatness, it was a warning about salvation itself.

Becoming like little children isn’t optional, it’s essential.

1. Childlike Faith Means Total Dependence

Children are not self-sufficient. They look to their parents for everything, food, protection, comfort, direction. In the same way, God calls us to live in total dependence on Him.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Just as a small child doesn’t question whether their parent will feed them or guide them, we are to trust that our Father knows best even when we don’t understand the path.

2. Childlike Humility and Teachability

Children are teachable. They ask questions. They’re not afraid to admit they don’t know something. That’s the posture we must bring to our walk with God: humility and a willingness to be taught.

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Psalm 25:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”

To become childlike means laying down pride, ego, and the belief that we can figure everything out on our own. We submit to God’s instruction like a child sitting at their Father’s feet.

3. A Child Follows Their Father

A child follows where their father leads. They may not know the destination, but they trust the one leading them. That’s how God wants us to live walking by faith, not by sight.

Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd… He leads me beside still waters… He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.”

Are we letting the Father lead us or are we trying to lead ourselves and asking Him to follow?

4. A Child Brings Nothing But Receives Everything

Children don’t earn what they receive they simply receive it because of who they are: sons and daughters. We bring nothing to earn salvation, it’s a gift.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

We are not employees in God’s house, we are children. And that means we live not by striving, but by trusting.

5. Most People Struggle With This

Many people say they trust God, but in reality, they try to control their own lives. They make their own plans and only seek God when things fall apart. Why? Because full dependence requires surrender and surrender feels risky. But that’s where real life begins.

Luke 9:23 “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The world teaches us to be independent. But Jesus teaches us to be like children; dependent, humble, and completely yielded to the Father.

Prayer:

Father, I come before You like a child. Help me to trust You more. Teach me to rely on You completely to look to You for every step, every decision, every need. Strip away my pride and self-sufficiency, and give me a humble, teachable spirit. I want to live not by my strength, but by Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Here is a 7 Day Devotional for those wanting to put this study into practice.

7-Day Devotional: Becoming Like Little Children
Living in Total Dependence on the Father

Day 1: The Call to Become Like Children

Scripture: Matthew 18:3

Reflection: Jesus didn’t just say we should act like children He said unless we become like them, we can’t enter the kingdom of heaven. That tells us childlike faith is not optional. It is the entry point. Spend today meditating on what it means to change your posture before God. Do you rely on Him as a child relies on a parent?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you unlearn the habits of pride and independence and teach you to become more childlike.

Day 2: Trusting the Father’s Hand

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Reflection: Trust doesn’t mean you understand everything. It means you believe the One leading you knows what He’s doing. Children don’t ask for full explanations; they simply follow. In what areas of your life are you still leaning on your own understanding?

Prayer Focus: Surrender those areas to the Lord. Declare your trust in His plan, even when the path is unclear.

Day 3: The Vine and the Branches

Scripture: John 15:5

Reflection: Jesus said we can do nothing apart from Him. That’s a strong word not “a little” or “less,” but “nothing.” A child knows they can’t cook their meals or drive themselves; they know they are fully dependent. Are you living with that same awareness?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to show you how to abide in Him daily. Pray for sensitivity to His presence and reliance on His strength.

Day 4: Humility That Welcomes Grace

Scripture: James 4:6

Reflection: God gives grace to the humble. Childlike faith begins with humility admitting our need, our weakness, and our dependence. Pride resists grace; humility receives it. Examine your heart: Are you approaching God with a sense of need or with self-sufficiency?

Prayer Focus: Repent of any pride and ask for a fresh spirit of humility that invites God’s grace into every part of your life.

Day 5: Learning From the Shepherd

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3

Reflection: The Good Shepherd doesn’t drive us; He leads us. A child follows the loving direction of their parent, trusting that they are safe and provided for. God wants to lead you beside still waters. Are you letting Him lead, or are you trying to run ahead?

Prayer Focus: Submit your plans, worries, and schedule to God today. Invite Him to lead you.

Day 6: Sons and Daughters, Not Servants

Scripture: Romans 8:15

Reflection: You are not an employee in God’s kingdom you are His child. That means your identity and value come from who He is, not what you do. Children don’t work to earn love; they receive it. Embrace the truth that you are adopted and loved.

Prayer Focus: Thank God for adopting you. Ask for deeper revelation of your identity as His beloved child.

Day 7: Returning to Childlike Simplicity

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-2

Reflection: David wrote that his soul was like a weaned child with its mother quiet, content, and secure. In a world full of noise and pressure, God is calling you back to simplicity: quiet trust, deep rest, and childlike joy.

Prayer Focus: Ask God to still your heart. Let go of your striving. Rest in His arms like a child in their father’s embrace.

Closing Thought:
Becoming like a child doesn’t mean being immature. It means returning to the purity of trust, the freedom of dependence, and the joy of knowing you are deeply loved. Walk into this week with open hands, surrendered heart, and eyes on the Father.