The concept of the “inner child” has become quite popular in modern psychology and self-help teachings. It refers to the part of one’s psyche that retains childlike attributes, such as innocence, playfulness, and sensitivity. While the inner child is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, there are several biblical themes and passages that relate to this modern concept.
We are called to childlike faith
In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” He goes on to say in verse 4, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus is advocating for childlike faith – simple, trusting, humble, and dependent on God. This requires setting aside adult pretensions of self-sufficiency and embracing a more childlike posture of reliance upon our heavenly Father.
We all struggle with childish ways
The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” Paul acknowledges that as children, we naturally think, speak, and reason immaturely. Growth requires replacing childish ways with mature adult reasoning and behavior. However, vestiges of childishness often remain in adults and are reflected in temper tantrums, pouting, emotional outbursts, and more. Our inner child can sometimes get the best of us.
Childhood wounds impact adults
Many biblical figures struggled with childhood trauma and its lingering effects, similar to modern concepts of the wounded inner child. Jacob and Esau struggled with identity issues rooted in childhood. David had to overcome deep seated insecurities established as the youngest neglected son (1 Samuel 16:11). Jeremiah felt inadequate from youth saying, “Ah, Lord God! I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6). Jesus himself is the ultimate wounded inner child, bearing the weight of unjust persecution even as a young boy (Matthew 2:16-18). The Bible validates that childhood wounds shape adult thought patterns and behaviors.
Childhood purity vs sinful nature
Scripture presents a tension between childhood innocence and the sinful nature present even from birth. Jesus says in Matthew 18:2-4 that the kingdom belongs to “little children” and we must become like them. This implies that children have a purity and innocence to be embraced. However, other passages point to a sinful nature already at work in infancy. Psalm 51:5 declares, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” So there is an inner tension, an innocent childlike purity mixed with an innate sinful nature from conception.
Growth and maturation are necessary
While positive childlike qualities are commended, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of growing into maturity. “When I was a child…but when I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Growth is expected and change inevitable: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Holding onto immaturity is discouraged, as Paul admonishes, “do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20). Healthy growth requires embracing childlike wonder and faith, while also maturing in wisdom and character.
Childhood habits form character
Wise parenting recognizes that patterns established in childhood persist. Proverbs 22:6 instructs: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Childhood habits affect adult outcomes. Paul acknowledges this in his advice to young Timothy, “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:14). Our early experiences establish mental models about self, others, and the world that shape adult perspectives, for better or worse. Our inner child establishes trajectories that continue throughout life.
Healing inner child wounds
Because childhood wounds and immaturity often persist into adulthood, self-awareness and healing of the inner child is needed. David cried out for healing saying, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). God as creator knows the inner child at the deepest level, able to shine light on painful formative experiences in order to bring perspective, grace and transformation. We can invite him graciously: “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved” (Jeremiah 17:14). As we see ourselves through God’s eyes, gain self-awareness and invite his presence into childhood wounds, transformation and healing of the inner child can unfold.
Childhood joy and wonder can be reclaimed
The Bible encourages maintaining youthful exuberance and delight. In spearing to aged Barzillai, David declares, “Come with me, that I may provide for you, for you shall eat at my table always.” (2 Samuel 19:33) There is great joy in caring for the inner child parts of one another. Ecclesiastes reminds us to rejoice and “let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). With childlike awe we can proclaim, “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2). Through Jesus we become children of God, unconditionally loved and cared for by a perfect heavenly Father, able to experience intimate childlike joy.
Childhood clergy abuse has lasting impacts
Tragically, clergy abuse during childhood has caused deep wounds for many. Religious authority figures violating and warping tender souls creates confusion about God and often leads to rejection of faith altogether. Christ sternly warns leaders, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin” (Luke 17:2). Abuse by clergy distorts inner children perhaps most severely. Broken trust, wounded faith, and lasting trauma often result. Tremendous courage and resilience is required for those violated in this way to heal and recover. May they find care, justice and restoration.
We are all God’s children
At the deepest level, we are all God’s children, crafted in his image. Jesus makes this startling invitation: “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). We who were “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) are miraculously adopted into God’s family through Christ: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Despite life’s wounds, we have an eternal Father who cares, understands, and welcomes each of us tenderly as his precious child.
Conclusion
While the specific phrase “inner child” is not found in Scripture, many biblical themes relate to this modern concept. The Bible calls us to childlike faith, yet acknowledges childish tendencies that must mature. Childhood wounds and formative experiences persist in shaping adult perspectives and behaviors, for better or worse. Growth into maturity is expected, yet retaining youthful joy and wonder is also encouraged. Our identity as beloved children of a gracious Father offers healing perspective to the mixture of purity and pain, delight and damage that our inner child represents. Bringing these complexities to God, we find hope, grace and transformation.