Young Adults' Group

The Road To Spiritual Maturity

by Pastor Mark
June 29, 2023

The problem of spiritual immaturity

As we arrive at the midpoint of 2023, let us ask ourselves, “Have we become more mature in our faith or have we continued in a state of spiritual immaturity?” It is appropriate and timely for us to check where we are spiritually. The author of Hebrews wrote to some who had problems with spiritual immaturity. He candidly and pointedly sought to address this serious problem.

Ascertaining the state of spiritual immaturity

How did the author determine that some were spiritually immature?

1. An unrealised goal

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers,” (Hebrews 5:12)

1. If we have been taught God’s Word, we would be equipped to teach simple truths to others.
2. This is not an unrealistic goal over time.
3. But if we have not heard well, we would still be ill-equipped and untrained.

2. The need to be retaught

“You need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God;” (Hebrews 5:12)

1. There is a realisation that we need to go back and relearn our fundamental truths.
2. It is vital for us to be retaught the basic truths of the Lord’s Word.

3. Able to only partake of spiritual milk

“And you have come to need milk and not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12)

1. Due to our spiritual lack, we need to go back to drinking spiritual milk.
2. We cannot partake of solid food as we are unable to stomach it.
3. We realise that we are still spiritual babes as we have yet to progress and develop the skills to meaningfully handle and interact with the Lord’s Word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13).

The road to spiritual maturity

1. Partaking of solid food

“But solid food belongs to those who are of full age,” (Hebrews 5:14)

1. There must be a desire to grow spiritually…from a spiritual infant to a spiritual adult.
2. Our diet must progress from spiritual milk to solid food.
3. We need a solid diet of good spiritual food that will make us grow strong spiritually.

2. Coming to full age

1. There would come greater maturity in our depth of understanding, faith and life.
2. We would develop better skills in handling the Lord’s Word.
3. We would have a strong sense of righteousness as a spiritual adult.

3. Training our spiritual senses

“That is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

1. Our spiritual senses have to be developed and trained.
2. By learning from the Lord’s Word, we would cultivate wise discernment.
3. Our spiritual senses would help us to clearly distinguish between what is good and evil.

Let us be challenged to grow towards spiritual maturity in practising a life of true righteousness. Let us be challenged to walk this road to spiritual maturity diligently.

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