Matters of the Heart - Pt 4

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV).

We should all be concerned with our level of discernment. Our reading today draws a very clear difference between “milk,” or “baby food,” and “solid food” (vv. 13-14). The writer encourages us to desire this “solid food” so that we can “discern good from evil.” Even as I write this devotional I know there are going to be some who misunderstand my intent. My sincere hope is that you will understand me to say that spiritual heart health depends in a large degree on your ability to intentional continue your growth and determining good from evil. If the world is nothing else, it certainly is confusing. That ability is determined by our spiritual depth, or maturity. Just like newborns are not expected to be able to make good choices, God does not expect new believers to make good decisions immediately. He does desire us to grow into that ability. This is accomplished as we transition to “solid food.” Here are some suggestions: First, develop a hunger for humility. Recognize that you don’t know as much as you might think; and, know that many things are simply “above your pay-grade. In other words, discerning people know that God, not their own mind's experience or instinct is the source of wisdom and ultimately the source of safety. From this place of humility, discerning people are able to ask for help from the One who gives it freely and abundantly. Second, look for goodness in the brokenness. This is not a denial of the brokenness or pretending that it doesn’t exist. We cannot be idealists; however, we can and should know that that the “way the world works” is not always the way God intended it to work. We must accept that God is the ultimate standard of what is right and submit all things, even our most deeply held customs and practices to him. Third, we should walk humbly before others deferring to those who have more experience and knowledge. In a world of search engines and social media, it can be tempting to believe that everyone’s opinion on any given subject is equally valid. But access to information is not knowledge, and tips and tricks are not skill and expertise. We should also learn to recognize wisdom in others. This is always affirmed by the Scripture. So, join me in becoming a better eater… enjoy the “meat of the Word.” Find yourself growing in your ability to recognize good from evil.