How can we crave "pure spiritual milk" in our daily spiritual growth? Setting the Scene: Newborn Cravings “Like newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2) Peter pictures believers as newborns whose very survival depends on milk. That milk is the Word of God—unmixed, unpolluted, absolutely trustworthy. Pure Spiritual Milk Defined • God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Nourishment that produces growth in salvation, not merely information • Always fresh, never stale (Proverbs 30:5) • Sweet and satisfying (Psalm 119:103) Clearing Away Appetite Blockers Peter’s command follows a housecleaning list: “Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.” (1 Peter 2:1) • Sin dulls spiritual taste buds; confession restores them (1 John 1:9) • Replace envy with gratitude, deceit with truth-telling, slander with blessing • “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth… and humbly accept the word planted in you.” (James 1:21) Cultivating a Daily Hunger • Schedule daily feedings: set aside focused time in the morning or evening • Read aloud—hearing engages another sense (Romans 10:17) • Meditate and memorize: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8) • Journal insights and applications; the pen often slows us down enough to savor • Pray the text back to God, asking the Spirit to “lead you into all truth.” (John 16:13) Nurturing Growth Through Community • Join a Bible-saturated church where the Word is preached faithfully (Acts 2:42) • Discuss passages with mature believers—iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17) • Serve others; obedience cements what we learn (James 1:22) Moving From Milk to Maturity While Never Leaving It Hebrews 5:12-14 warns against staying infantile, yet even seasoned saints still drink milk: they have simply added solid food. • Keep the gospel central every day • Tackle deeper study—doctrine, context, original languages—without abandoning simple, direct reading • Teach others; teaching forces clarity and dependence on Scripture Key Takeaways for Today • Crave the Word the way a baby craves milk—urgently, frequently, wholeheartedly • Remove sin to restore appetite • Feed daily, meditate deeply, obey promptly • Grow in community, moving toward solid food while always drinking pure spiritual milk |
    |