Thought of the day:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Reference Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV
This passage is harsh to many because it’s calling them out for not maturing. He’s talking to those who say, “I don’t think I’m being fed”. He’s talking to those who are looking to be fed but not putting what they learn into practice. We can literally have a picture in mind of a grown adult who is still nursing. I know this is a crude description but it is the best one.
Paul is basically saying here, “You don’t think you’re growing enough? It’s because your still drinking milk when you’ve been shown how to cut the meat and eat it.” Physically, milk is not the best for us, as we grow older, and can only provide some nutrients needed to a point. We need the substance of meat to grow.
How does this apply to us Spiritually? We have been taught The Word, how to pray, the need for fellowship, walking in Faith and putting these practices in action continuously. In a sense, we’ve been introduced to meat. We need to wean off the milk, which is showing up to a Bible Study or Church and not applying what we learn in our actions.
We need to use what we learn to teach others and guide them to Jesus and help them grow. This is where we start to learn more. This is where our Faith is stretched more. This is where our Spiritual muscles develop more. We face challenges when we start putting into action what we learn and not just expect to be taught/fed, we are no longer babes in Christ.
Spend some time today in reflecting on whether or not you’re eating of the Spiritual meat or if you’re still drinking the milk.