SPIRITUAL FOOD: MILK OR MEAT?

(Hebrews 5:12b-14) A contrast between milk and solid food.

    All Christians started from being babies, in need of milk. There is nothing more delightful a Christian who is a true babe of Jesus. But there is nothing more saddening than Christian who should be matured but who has become a infant. A longer Christian should be growing and not returning back to an infant, who’s no longer asking for milk but of solid food. It isn’t that milk is bad, but it is less suitable for a growing Christian. This Christian should have added solid food to his diet. 

How have a longer Christian become a babe?

• If your Christian life is unstable; Babies are handed from one person to another, and spiritual babes are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14-16)

• If you are spiritually asleep. Babies need a lot of sleep, and spiritual babes spend much time spiritually asleep.

• If you are easily irritated and upset. Babies can be cranky, and spiritual babes will fuss over any little thing.

• If you are easily star-struck by Christian celebrities or a pastor. Babies are focused on one particular person (their mother), and spiritual babes glory in men (I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, as in 1 Corinthians 1:12).

Immature Christians revealed themselves as they are unskilled in the word of righteousness, to discern good from evil. We don’t expect brand new Christians to be skilled in the word of righteousness, but those who have been Christians for a time should be. The mature Christians are marked by their discernment and by their unshakable commitment to Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if we still find ourselves as babe christian, we have to learn to exercise (training and habit) our spiritual senses. The more that we exercise the use of discernment, the more we’ll mature. 

Exercising Spiritual Senses:

1. Spiritual sense of taste

If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Peter 2:3). Taste and see that the LORD is good! (Psalm 34:8)

2. Spiritual sense of hearing

 Hear and your soul shall live (Isaiah 55:3). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7).

3. Spiritual sense of sight

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18). The eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).

4. Spiritual sense of smell

He shall be of quick scent in the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:3, RV margin). I am full, having received from… you, a sweet-smelling aroma (Philippians 4:18).

5. Spiritual sense of touch or feeling

Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD (2 Kings 22:19). The hardening of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness (Ephesians 4:18-19).

Reflections: 

• How’s your journey with the Lord since you started a relationship with Him?

• Have you evolved from sitting to serving in the church?

• How do you meditate God’s words before? How about now?

• Have you evolved from hearing God’s words to teaching them to others? Have you desired to teach?

• What do you do after you hear the words of God?

• What are the spiritual senses you often exercise? What are the least?