How can we transition from "milk" to "solid food" in our faith journey? The Call to Grow Beyond Milk “Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:12) Recognizing Spiritual Infancy • Dullness of hearing (Hebrews 5:11) • Dependence on others for every spiritual insight • Limited appetite for Scripture beyond the basics • Worldly attitudes that mirror 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “infants in Christ” Solid Food Defined • Deeper doctrine—grasping the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27) • Trained discernment: “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14) • Active obedience that applies truth, not merely hears it (James 1:22) Nourishing Habits That Build Spiritual Muscle • Daily, systematic Scripture intake—move from devotional snippets to entire books • Memorization and meditation on key passages (Psalm 119:11) • Consistent prayer that includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession • Fellowship with mature believers who model Christlike living (Proverbs 27:17) Practical Steps for a Deeper Diet 1. Study a whole Gospel, then an Epistle, tracing themes and doctrine. 2. Work through a sound catechism or statement of faith, locating each proof-text. 3. Serve in a ministry that requires teaching or mentoring; teaching solidifies learning. 4. Keep a journal noting how each passage points to Christ and calls for obedience. 5. Read trusted commentaries after personal study to check understanding. Guard Rails for Steady Progress • Test every new idea by Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Submit to local church leadership for accountability (Hebrews 13:17). • Reject worldly philosophies that contradict Christ (Colossians 2:8). • Depend on the Holy Spirit, who “guides into all truth” (John 16:13). The Goal: Christlike Maturity “…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Moving from milk to solid food means growing into believers who know the Word, discern truth from error, and reflect the character of Jesus in every sphere of life. |
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