Where Are We?
I am sure we would all like to think we are spiritually mature. I expect the foolish Galatians liked to think that as well as the Hebrew church and other church groups back in that time.
How do we know that we are spiritually mature people?
Is it because we pray every day, read our bible on a regular basis, go to a particular church on a regular basis, give some of our money to the church and to people in need? I expect the Galatians the Corinthians and the Hebrews did all these things. Paul still referred to them as spiritual babies, as natural men. All these things should be apparent in a Christian living as a spiritual person. Paul must have seen that something was missing in there spiritual walk. We can do all these things and not be spiritual. What was missing?
Part of this question was answered in Hebrew 5:11. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become hard of hearing.
This was a problem in the Old Testament and the new; “Seeing they see not and hearing they hear not”
Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Milk is when someone else must keep feeding you. Solid food is being led by the Holy Spirit and doing what God wants you to do!
Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
Note it says “only of milk” we still need teachers. We also need to hear the word of righteousness which is the living word that is in our heart and mind and obey what God is saying to us.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid foot is for the mature who because of practice have there senses trained to discern good and evil.
Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 2;13; which things we speak not in word taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. This is the word of righteousness. This is the solid food if we learn to hear it and do it, we know that we are spiritually mature.