Oct. 06, 2024

“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”

“CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

HEBREWS 5:11-14

Hebrews 6:12 “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

What Then Are The Four Marks Of Spiritual Immaturity?

1.  Dullness Toward The Word Of God.

Hebrews 5:11 “Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.”

The believers had started on their backward journey by drifting from the Word: Danger Sign #1

Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”

They then drifted away by doubting God Word: Danger Sign #2

Hebrews 3:7-4:13

As a result they were “dull of hearing” vs.11, Danger Sign #3

That is they were unable to listen to the Word of God, receive it and to act on it. They did not have the attitude of the believers in Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

One of the first symptoms of spiritual regression, or backsliding is a dullness toward the Word of God.

Are you dull of hearing?

2.   The Inability To Share.

Hebrews 5:12 “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.”

The ability to share spiritual truth with others is a mark of maturity.

vs.12 “…you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God.”

They had to be taught the A,B,C’s again. Do you need the spiritual A,B,C’s again?

vs.12 “…and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

Do you need a rattle and a bottle of milk?

3.   A Baby Food Diet.

Hebrews 5:12-13 “…and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.”

The “meat” of the Word is the teaching about our Lord’s ministry now in heaven as our High Priest.

The “milk” of the Word refers to what Jesus did on earth; His birth, life, teachings, death, burial, and His resurrection. The “meat” of the Word refers to what Jesus Christ is now doing in heaven.

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”

4.   Unskillfull In Using The Word of God.

Hebrews 5:13-14 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 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.”

“Unskilled” referred to a person who was not trusted, not yet tested.

Just as our physical bodies have senses, without we could not function, so our “spiritual man” has “spiritual senses” vs.14.

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Matthew 13:16 “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.”

1 Timothy 4:7-8 “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

The ability to discern good and evil is a vital part of Christian maturity.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

1 Peter 2:1-3

You grow by reading and studying God’s Word. If you don’t know how to handle it you are a little baby, you need to grow up.

What do you need to do to become a mature believer who can discern good and evil?