MILK, MEAT, AND STRONG MEAT
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age… (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Our opening scripture emphasizes the importance of growing to maturity spiritually. It tells us that anyone who lives on milk is still an infant and therefore not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. The Bible talks about the sincere milk of the Word of God. Milk is for beginners; therefore, to stay on milk means to remain in spiritual infancy.
1 Peter 2:1-2 tells us something instructive; it says, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Only those who are spiritually immature practice malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking. Such folks are to crave or desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word and grow unto maturity.
Take your Bible study seriously; learn the truth of God’s Word and grow. There’s more to spiritual nourishment than just milk. There’s the “meat” of God’s Word, and then there’s also “strong meat.” Strong meat belongs to the mature in Christ, those who have learned to live spiritually.
Recall what Paul said to the Christians in Corinth: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). You must mature in the Word and develop a deep understanding of the Scriptures.
Just as in physical growth where a person moves from milk to solid food, there comes a time also when a Christian must transition from the elementary teachings to the deeper, more challenging doctrines of faith and then be ready to handle even more complex truths (read Hebrews 5:11-14).
Make your personal spiritual growth a top priority. Read Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV, and see God’s desire for your life: “Then we will no longer be infants…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the spiritual nourishment you provide through your Word. I move beyond the basics and grow in understanding and application of the deeper truths of the Scriptures. I’m strengthened in my resolve to develop and exercise my faith, grow unto maturity, and manifest the glory-life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Ephesians 4:14-15, Hebrews 6:1-2
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 12:1-13, Ezekiel 11-12
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 John 2:15-29, Ezekiel 46
