The Immaturity Dilemma
Read the Text: Hebrews 5
Memorize the Text:
Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception
(Hebrews 3:12-13, CSB)
Consider the Text: Hebrews 5:11-14
Spiritual development must occur in every follower of Christ's life. When we enter a relationship with Jesus, we exist as immature and infant believers. We need to grow in our faith and become closer to Jesus in our walk. Unfortunately, many believers never take a step forward in their faith. Instead, they become reliant upon others spoon-feeding them spiritual food and find themselves weak in the faith. The author of Hebrews addressed the immaturity dilemma to awaken believers to the need to grow spiritually.
THE TRAP OF LAZINESS
The author of Hebrews identified a cause of their spiritual immaturity rested in their state of spiritual laziness in verse 11. The believers refused to follow Jesus with a deep desire and passion. Instead, they sought to gain an easy belief faith but wanted to sit back and allow others to take hold of the responsibility meant for them. Laziness in one's spiritual life leads to a lack of development because the spiritual life goes unnourished and undeveloped.
Today, the trap of spiritual laziness continues to exist. People who claim to follow Jesus rest in the moment of their salvation and then cease to follow Jesus as a disciple. They do not pay the price of following Jesus and want an easy belief that allows them to rest and not work. When you think about your relationship with the Lord, in what ways do you face the temptation to fall prey to the trap of laziness?
THE CONTINUED SPIRITUAL INFANCY
In verse 12, the author noted that the believers receiving the letter should teach others in the faith by receipt of this letter, but these believers need to be taught instead. Spiritual laziness created a situation where the believers did not comprehend the most fundamental truths. The author noted that these believers needed others to teach them the primary, elementary principles of the faith. Thus, those who should teach cannot because they remain infants in Christ.
Today, many professing believers remain in spiritual infancy. They may attend a service but do not invest in their walk with the Lord. They neglect to study the truth and to engage in communication with the Lord. As a result, these believers do not know the truth but often live out of tradition or what seems right to them. In what ways do you seek to move past spiritual infancy and grow in Christ? Are you strategically studying the truth and growing in the Lord?
THE STUNTED GROWTH DYNAMIC
The author noted in verse 13 that when one practices laziness and exists in spiritual infancy, the individuals stunt their growth and remain in the infant state. A stunted spiritual walk means that one does not fully understand the greatness of the Lord or the impact of the work of Christ on the cross and in the resurrection. They speak about salvation, but they do not grasp the depth of truth surrounding righteousness. Like an infant, they may be entertained by their surroundings, but they cannot participate.
Today, many believers remain stunted in growth. This dynamic means churches exist with members who stay in the infant state. Often, these spiritual infants gain traction in leadership because of tradition and family heritage. When this occurs, the church suffers because of spiritual immaturity. Thus, the stunted spiritual life of the individual creates a stunted development of the church. We must assess our lives and confirm that we continue to grow in the faith. When we become stunted, we need to seek to renew our passion for growing in Christ.
PURSUE SOLID FOOD
The author challenges believers to overcome the threat of spiritual immaturity and seek a spiritual state of growth that feasts on solid food, according to verse 14. The author exclaimed that solid food exists for the mature. An infant cannot feast on solid food because they do not have the teeth or digestive ability to process the food. The same is true spiritually. Likewise, immature believers cannot discern and grow in the deeper truths of the faith because they cannot digest solid food. Thus, believers need to seek to grow and mature.
Today, believers must seek to develop spiritual teeth and digestive systems to feast on profound truths. Such a life produces spiritual discernment and wisdom that allows the believer to navigate life and participate in the discipleship of others. When we think about our life, we need to contemplate whether or not we feast on solid spiritual food or if we continue to need milk. If you are feasting on solid food, how are you putting that experience and training into practice?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
