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"Unskilled in the word of righteousness..."

Text: Hebrews 5:13

TAKING THE MATTER OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY SERIOUSLY

The author of Hebrews is obviously very deeply concerned about the problem of spiritual immaturity. He puts this point across forcibly.

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

1. Milk is not to be despised

Milk for babies is of absolute importance! Mother’s milk is often described as “the perfect food” for babies. Thus milk is not to be despised at any time!

2. But milk is only for babies

No matter how “perfect” milk may be for babies, the fact is that as they grow up, they would need more than milk. They need solid food if they are to grow up strong and healthy!

3. An important analogy

The author of Hebrews aptly uses the imagery of “babies” with striking impact!

a) There is such a thing as a “spiritual baby”.

b) Spiritual babies are believers who remain in “perpetual spiritual infancy (immaturity)”.

4. Unskilled in the word of righteousness

We have another significant description of the Scriptures in this text. It is called “the word of righteousness”. What does this mean?

a) This phrase describes another attribute of the Word of God

i) It is characterized by “righteousness”

ii) Its righteousness is drawn from the righteous character of God Himself.

b) This phrase also describes the impact that the Word of God was meant to make on its readers. The writer wrote indignantly that spiritual infancy continued to plague so many!

i) It was meant to help them cultivate personal righteousness.

ii) However, the reader has to become “skilled” in handling the word of God if he hopes to benefit from reading it.

iii) Spiritual babies are unable to interact with the Word of righteousness meaningfully simply because of their perpetual spiritual infancy problem!