He says they are spiritual preschoolers in their understanding of scripture. When babies enter the world they start by drinking milk because their digestive system cannot handle solid food. Later, mothers wean them from milk onto solid food. At first, babes do not like the solid food so they spit it out. It takes time and patience for mothers to encourage little ones onto a diet of mature food. But these folks did not have a poor digestive system since they had the Holy Spirit to give them understanding (1 Cor. 2:12-14). They just did not like solid biblical teaching. Listen to Paul.     For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; (NASB) 2 Tim. 4:3   They wanted a diet of “Bible milk” - something to make them feel good. They wanted to drink their Bible knowledge - something soft and easy. Today Christians ask for a book that explains the Bible - no study required. Others want to study but do not know how. Many pastors and teachers either do not know how to help them learn to study or they do not want to explain. Many teachers simply read prepared materials, and many pastors wait until Saturday night to prepare for Sunday morning. It is amazing how many who teach the Word do not take the time to study the Word. Is it any wonder Christians cannot explain simple Christian truths?       A spiritual baby cannot digest the deeper truths of scripture. They are not of interest to him/her. The baby is unskilled, inexperienced, and unprepared to understand. That was the Holy Spirit’s situation.           Maturity - Spiritual. What are the some of the marks of spiritual maturity? 1 John 2 describes spiritual growth as moving from little children to young men and then on to fathers in the faith.     I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven . . . I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (NASB) 1 John 2:12, 14   Little children are where we all start. Our sins are forgiven. A young man is the next level. He is one who knows the Word of God. It is part of his life, and he is having increasing victory over sin. The spiritual father is one who was a young man and now he desires to know “Him who has been from the beginning.”       Spiritual maturity involves many things, but Christians cannot get there by receiving only milk. The last verse says that mature Christians feed on solid food.     But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (NASB) Heb. 5:14   The word “practice” comes from the Greek word HEXIS. It means “habit or repeated activity.” A mature Christian constantly studies God’s Word. The passage says this person has an ability to discern evil from good, righteousness from unrighteousness, and truth from error. This is not true of a spiritual baby. Did you notice the young man is said to be “overcoming the evil one"? Did you notice he is the one who has a firm grasp of scripture? They go together! One is required for the other. But knowledge does not guarantee a Christian will not sin as King Solomon did later in his life. He calls us to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). The Word of God is essential!       Conclusion. This was a strong message to those Christians. It is a strong message to us. The path to spiritual maturity is more than feeling spiritual or “living the Christian life.” It includes habitual study of His Word. It means chewing on the tough stuff of scripture. Milk and ice cream are great, but they do not make one mature. The Holy Spirit has called us to grow!           < Back
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