When my great nephew, Corbin, was eight months old, he got tired of his mother feeding him. He took the spoon from her and began to feed himself. Every time she tried to feed him, he shook his head and took the spoon. He was so anxious to do it himself. He quickly became tired of the Cocoa Puffs and has grown to love eating vegetables, even raw veggies, and other healthy foods that many children refuse to taste. When he began eating meat, well let’s say, he was in hog heaven.
Corbin’s insistence on feeding himself, his love of healthy food, and his desire to eat meat at the appropriate age, causes me to think of what the writer of Hebrews said to early Christians. He wanted to be able to talk to them about deeper spiritual things, but could not. He explained, For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first 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 unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. His words make me wonder about the kind of spiritual food that people want today.
Some are not satisfied with doctrinal sermons. In fact, doctrine has become a bad word in their vocabulary. They want to be spoon fed ‘puffy’ lessons about feel good ideas and politically correct themes.
The neglect of teaching about sin and its consequences has created an ‘anything goes’ mindset. The neglect of teaching sound doctrine has caused division in the Lord’s church. When it comes to worship, the ‘anything goes’ mantra continues. Although the Bible speaks clearly about men taking leadership roles in governing of the church and in worship, and women not doing so, the truth is ignored, or chalked up as cultural. However, Paul wrote that man’s leadership is an overarching principle set in the Garden of Eden (1 Tim. 2:11-15). Even when scripture says the heart and voice are God’s instrument of choice for worshiping Him (Col. 3:16), it is ignored to seemingly satisfy ones who want to add instrumental accompaniment. And the list goes on.
It all boils down to lack of knowledge. God told his nation, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children (Hosea 4:6).
God wants us to be like Corbin and crave healthy spiritual food. He wants us to grow until we no longer need milk, but long for the meat of the word, which will enable us to discern the difference between good and evil, between what God desires and what He abhors.
In light of the rebuke given to Hebrew Christians, and Hosea’s frightening message, let us renew our efforts to honor God by knowing and loving His word!
Today’s Verse: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col. 3:17).
–Teresa Hampton
Christian woman audio devotionals by Teresa are located here.