We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:11-14

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In the book of Hebrews, we discover a sentence that ought to make all of nervous:

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.” 

Wow, can you imagine? Realities about God that the writer desires to share, but the readers have lived in such a way that they cannot be revealed.

Why should this make us nervous? Because it would be a terrible, terrible shame if God wanted to show us truth, but we have made it impossible for him to do so. 

I’m not sure there would be anything more tragic than the Almighty Creator of the Universe wanting to communicate with us… but we have prevented him from doing so.

After that statement, the writer draws on an analogy you who are familiar with the Bible will recognize:

“You need milk, not solid food!”

The readers remain spiritual infants and have not placed themselves in a position to receive anything other than elementary truths. Again, if you are familiar with Scripture, you have likely heard this analogy before. 

But did you know the writer continues and explains exactly what separates those who are ready for solid food from those who can only handle mere milk?

What sets apart “milk” from “solid food” is the pursuit of righteousness.

“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.” And he repeats his point in the next verse, “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Righteousness isn’t a mere theological concept; it’s a way of life. And the author of Hebrews reminds us that those who mature in their faith have “trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Growing in righteousness is, of course, an ongoing journey, marked by a commitment to God’s design and will for our lives and holy living apart from the ways of this world.

And that is what makes this sentence in Hebrews such a warning to us!

The difference between those who are able to grow in their knowledge of God and those who do not is this: Those who grow in their maturity have separated themselves from worldly living. 

Those who remain stuck in their sin or continue to follow the teachings of the world will be forever stuck on milk and elementary teachings—and as a result will miss out on so much that God wants to show them.

May that not be true of us. May we strive to grow in righteousness and move beyond elementary teachings.

May we live in such a way to receive all from God that He desires to give us.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, my desire is to know all that you can teach me about yourself. Mold me into a follower of You who moves beyond spiritual infancy and into spiritual maturity. May I walk in righteousness each day. Amen.