You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. (Hebrews 5:12 NLT)

Next month is my 18th birthday – spiritually, that is. So, I’ve been doing a little self-reflection. And that got me thinking about this verse.

Just like we want our kids to grow and mature, God wants us to grow up spiritually. Could you imagine if your daughter turned 18 and she was still crawling around like a baby? Wouldn’t it upset you if she was drinking milk from a baby bottle because she wouldn’t eat solid food?

We want our children to grow and mature like they’re supposed to. And it’s the same with God the Father. He wants us to grow up spiritually – to be molded into the image of His Son, Jesus.

Yet, some never stop drinking milk. They stay on a milk diet for their entire lives. They’re content to know about God’s love and forgiveness while keeping one foot in the world.

Instead of learning what God wants them to do by reading His Word, the Bible, they do whatever they please. They don’t care how God wants them to live. They go to church on Sunday, check it off the list, and live how they want to the rest of the week.

So, where are you at? Are you content with only drinking milk? Or do you want all God has for you?

If you want to grow spiritually, you need to read your Bible. You can’t know what God has revealed about Himself and what He wants you to do without reading His Word. It’s by reading the Bible that you learn what God says is right and wrong. As it tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT):

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Not only that but as you read the Bible, it changes you. While you’re reading, God will speak to you. He’ll reveal things about yourself and the plans He has for you. The Bible is not just a book. It’s “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).

So, let’s commit to growing up spiritually. Get off the milk diet and start eating solid food. Read your Bible and pray every day. As you take in God’s instruction and talk with Him, His Holy Spirit will mature you spiritually. Then you’ll be able to walk by faith with Him.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash