Milk:
Meaning: Milk represents basic, foundational teachings or elementary principles of the Christian faith.
Application: When believers are like “infants,” they need simple, easy-to-understand teachings. These include fundamental truths about God, salvation, repentance, and basic moral principles.
Example: The message of God’s love, forgiveness, and the need for repentance is like spiritual milk.
Solid Food:
Meaning: Solid food refers to deeper, more profound teachings and insights from Scripture.
Application: As believers mature, they can handle more complex truths. Solid food includes topics like deeper theology, spiritual disciplines, understanding prophecy, and discerning God’s will.
Example: Studying the book of Revelation, exploring the nature of God’s sovereignty, and delving into the mysteries of faith are like spiritual solid food.
Spiritual Growth:
Process: As we grow in our relationship with God, we transition from milk to solid food.
Desire: Mature believers hunger for deeper understanding and seek to apply God’s Word in practical ways.
Challenge: Sometimes believers remain “infants” because they neglect studying Scripture or fail to apply what they learn.
Scriptural References:
Hebrews 5:12-14:
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
1 Peter 2:2:
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
In summary, “solid food” represents deeper spiritual truths and insights that lead to maturity in faith.
It involves studying Scripture, prayer, and applying God’s Word to our lives.
We are immature in our faith, as long as it’s God given it will grow and flourish...mine has certainly grown...how about your faith?
Just as physical growth doesn’t stop after childhood, spiritual growth is a lifelong process. We learn, stumble, and learn some more.
Our faith matures as we seek God, study His Word, and apply it to our lives.
Challenges and Trials:
Sometimes our faith grows most during challenging times—when we lean on God, trust His promises, and experience His faithfulness.
Trials refine our faith, making it stronger and more resilient.
Community and Fellowship:
Being part of a faith community—whether a local church, small group, or online fellowship—can encourage and strengthen our faith.
We learn from others, share experiences, and grow together.
Prayer and Intimacy:
Prayer deepens our relationship with God. It’s not just about asking for things; it’s about communion with our Creator.
Intimacy with God fuels our faith and helps us navigate life’s challenges.
Scripture and Reflection:
Regularly studying the Bible provides spiritual nourishment. It’s like feasting on solid food.
Reflecting on Scripture and applying it to our lives transforms us.
Remember that faith isn’t stagnant—it’s dynamic and alive. As long as we remain open to God’s work in our hearts, our faith will continue to grow and flourish. May your faith journey be filled with joy, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God’s love!
Distinguish good from evil?
Who teaches us about righteousness?...we are right before God when we have been Born Of The Spirit?
Distinguishing Good from Evil:
The ability to discern between good and evil is essential for moral decision-making and spiritual growth.
Good: Actions, thoughts, and attitudes aligned with God’s character, love, and truth.
Evil: Actions, thoughts, and attitudes contrary to God’s will and character.
Sources of Guidance:
Scripture: The Bible provides clear guidelines for distinguishing good from evil. It reveals God’s standards and principles.
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit indwells believers and convicts us of sin. He guides us toward righteousness.
Conscience: Our conscience, when informed by Scripture, helps us recognize right and wrong.
Community: Fellow believers and wise mentors can offer insights and accountability.
Born of the Spirit:
Being “born of the Spirit” refers to the new birth experienced through faith in Jesus Christ.
John 3:5-6:
“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”
When we accept Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, transforming our hearts and empowering us to live righteously.
Righteousness:
Definition: Righteousness means being in right standing with God. It involves both imputed righteousness (through faith in Christ) and practical righteousness (living according to God’s standards).
Imputed Righteousness: We are declared righteous before God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s not based on our works but on faith.
Practical Righteousness: As believers, we strive to live out God’s commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Teaching About Righteousness:
God: Ultimately, God Himself teaches us about righteousness through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: The Bible contains instructions on righteous living.
Spiritual Leaders: Pastors, teachers, and mature believers help us understand and apply God’s principles.
You can’t teach others unless God anoints one to teach...we can’t do anything in our own strength...we rely solely on the teaching from the Holy Spirit, which again is all in God’s timing....we grow and mature in Gods timing....not our timing..
We can read scripture all day long...only the Spirit can open up Gods word to our understanding of His word..as I’ve said..God is Spirit therefore communicates with us via His Spirit..
What is spiritual infancy?
How would you know that one is still in babyhood?
How do you discern Gods truth?
Feasibility: Set goals that are possible. For instance, daily prayer is practical; praying for five hours might not be.
Accountability: Set deadlines to check your progress. Without accountability, it remains a dream2.
In summary, reading Scriptures isn’t merely an intellectual exercise; it’s about transformation. Apply its principles to your life, and let God’s Word shape your character and actions.
Definition:
Spiritual infancy refers to the initial stage of a believer’s journey after accepting Christ as Lord and Savior.
Characteristics:
Limited Understanding: Like a newborn, spiritual infants have limited understanding of God’s Word and His ways.
Dependency: They rely heavily on others (spiritual parents or mentors) for guidance.
Immaturity: Their faith is still developing, and they may struggle with basic spiritual concepts.
Self-Centeredness: Infants tend to focus on their own needs and desires.
Scriptural Basis:
1 Corinthians 3:1-2: Paul addresses the Corinthians as “infants in Christ” because they were still immature in their faith.
Signs of Spiritual Infancy:
Self-Centeredness: Spiritual infants are concerned with self rather than service. They may fuss over personal rights, grievances, and desires1.
Worldly Behavior: Paul compares spiritual infancy to worldly behavior, indicating that immaturity leads to behaving like those who don’t know Christ1.
Lack of Spiritual Discernment: Infants lack discernment and may not distinguish between God’s truth and worldly ideas.
Discerning God’s Truth:
Prayer and Meditation: Regular prayer and meditation on Scripture help discern God’s truth. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding.
Study the Word: Dive deep into the Bible. Understand context, historical background, and original languages.
Test Everything: Measure teachings against Scripture. Acts 17:11 encourages us to examine everything against God’s Word.
Community: Seek wise counsel from mature believers. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.”
Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit. If our lives exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we’re likely walking in God’s truth.
Avoid False Teaching: Be discerning about teachings that deviate from biblical principles.
Humility: Recognize that our understanding is finite. Humble hearts are open to God’s correction and growth.
In summary, spiritual infancy is a natural starting point, but we should actively seek growth. Discerning God’s truth involves prayer, study, community, and humility. May we all mature in our faith.