"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." – Hebrews 5:12
When babies are born, doctors monitor their physical, mental, and emotional growth. Signs of poor development or slow physical progress cause concern. Similarly, our spiritual growth should be monitored. In our spiritual journey, it is crucial to consider the danger of lagging in our spiritual progress.
The Bible offers guidance on spiritual growth, starting with our spiritual birth in Christ. From this foundation, we progress through the nourishment of God's word and the support of other believers. Together, we can advance in knowledge and skills, exercise our spiritual gifts, and gain strength from each other. This progression leads us toward spiritual maturity, as described in Ephesians 4:13:
“...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
However, as natural growth can be hindered, so can spiritual growth. Several factors can stunt our spiritual development:
Feeding ourselves the wrong spiritual food.
Neglecting to gather with fellow believers for encouragement and faith-building.
Lacking examples of spiritual maturity to follow.
The author of Hebrews addresses this concern in the third warning found in Hebrews 5:11-6:20, emphasizing the importance of staying on the path of spiritual growth. This passage warns believers not to stray from their spiritual progress:
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food" – Hebrews 5:12
The message is clear: we must be vigilant in our spiritual journey, continually striving for growth and maturity, avoiding complacency, and embracing the deeper truths of our faith.
To fully understand the warning in Hebrews, it's important to consider the context of the Hebrew Christians. They were facing persecution because of their faith in Jesus. They were under pressure from family and society to abandon Christianity and return to the Levitical system of religion they had grown up with.
The author says that by now, they should be teachers. In other words, they should have been able to testify to the transforming power of the gospel and bear witness to Jesus' resurrection. Instead, they need somebody to teach them again the basic principles of the oracles of the word of God.
How to Remove Barriers to Maturity and Avoid the Danger of Failing to Grow Spiritually:
Takeaway #1: Avoid Becoming Lazy Toward the Word of God
"Concerning him, we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing." – Hebrews 5:11
The author wanted to teach more about Melchizedek and the superiority of Jesus' priesthood but found it hard to explain because the audience was not ready. The term "dull" (Greek: "nothros") means sluggish or lazy, indicating a lack of responsiveness to God's word.
Takeaway #2: Commit to Partaking of Solid Spiritual Food
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." – Hebrews 5:12
The Hebrew Christians were immature because they clung to old religious traditions instead of embracing the deeper truths of Christ. Solid spiritual food represents a deeper level of doctrine and a serious commitment to righteousness.
Takeaway #3: Develop a Trained Sense of Discernment
"For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." – Hebrews 5:13-14
Being "unaccustomed" means inexperienced. The author emphasizes the need to practice applying God's word to daily life. Mature believers develop discernment through consistent practice.
By addressing these takeaways, we can monitor our spiritual growth, remove barriers to maturity, and continue to progress toward spiritual maturity. Let us commit to avoiding spiritual laziness, partaking of solid spiritual food, and developing a trained sense of discernment.
Until Next Time, Stay Strong in the Lord.
Pastor Bob
About Pastor Bob Moya, DMin.
Pastor Bob Moya has served as the lead pastor with his wife Candace at City Chapel in Arlington, Texas for over 22+ years. He recently graduated with a doctorate degree in Spiritual Renewal and Leadership in the spring of 2024. When not serving at the church, you'll find Bob enjoying a good read at Barnes & Noble, sipping a nitro cold brew or black coffee from Starbucks, or spending time with his family.
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