“For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.” — Hebrews 5:12 (AMPC)
The earthly realm mirrors the spiritual realm. When you study God’s Word, you’ll discover that the natural world is connected to the spiritual world. For example, Romans 1:20 (NKJV) states, “For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
When it comes to understanding spiritual growth, the same principle applies: there is feeding for the development of the baby, and there is daily practice for the development of its system and body parts. A baby who feeds but is never active may grow, but with challenges. Imagine a five-year-old who can’t crawl or move—you would have to carry them from one place to another.
As a parent, you could never be happy with that; you would seek either divine or medical help. God’s Word in Hebrews 5:12 (NLT) says, “You have been believers for so long that you should be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and can’t eat solid food.”
This perfectly describes the kind of believer who has been attending Patria Movement Sunday services and other programs that provide nourishment and growth but remains unable to contribute anything productive to themselves or to the Church.
“For every spiritual infant who lives on milk is not yet pierced by the revelation of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, whose spiritual senses perceive heavenly matters. And they have been adequately trained by what they’ve experienced to emerge with understanding of the difference between what is truly excellent and what is evil and harmful.” — Hebrews 5:13–14 (TPT)
The Lord desires that you hear to do — that you become a Word practitioner. It is this practice that develops your spiritual senses.
How do you know you’re developing? When you start teaching others what you’ve been taught. Read the theme verse again: “For even though you should be teaching others by now, you actually need someone to teach you…” — Hebrews 5:12 (AMPC)
There must be clear progression in your spiritual journey. When you get born again, join the new believers’ and new members’ classes, then proceed to foundation school and other discipleship training programs in the church. This is where you begin to serve and start teaching others what you know. Don’t be redundant or non-participating in the body of Christ — it’s not healthy for you or for the Church.
When you are a minor, your estate and what belongs to you are managed on your behalf. Could this be the reason why you are not fully enjoying your Christian life — because you must wait for a time to receive what is yours? Don’t assume spiritual growth; let the Word of God show you whether you have grown or not, and make up your mind to grow.
Start by reading this daily devotional every day, attending Patria Movement gatherings and Sunday services, joining foundation school if you haven’t yet, and asking your pastor questions about any spiritual matter where you desire understanding and clarity. Within a short time, you will grow, find your place of service, and begin to teach others. Glory!
CONFESSION
I have received so much grace and ability as I sit under the teaching of God’s Word; therefore, I take my place in the body of Christ and impact my world for His glory. Today, I declare that I continue to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word, and my appetite for the Word has increased. Hallelujah!
DEEPER REFLECTION
“Let me illustrate: As long as an heir is a minor, he’s not really much different from a servant, although he’s master over all of them. For until the time appointed by the father, the child is under the domestic supervision of the guardians of the estate.” — Galatians 4:1–2 (TPT)
“For you should already be professors instructing others by now; but instead, you need to be taught from the beginning the basics of God’s prophetic oracles! You’re like children still needing milk and not yet ready to digest solid food. For every spiritual infant who lives on milk is not yet pierced by the revelation of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, whose spiritual senses perceive heavenly matters. And they have been adequately trained by what they’ve experienced to emerge with understanding of the difference between what is truly excellent and what is evil and harmful.” — Hebrews 5:12–14 (TPT)
SHARE WITH YOUR WORLD
