Are You Still Drinking Spiritual Milk? It's Time for Something Stronger

A reflection on Hebrews 5:12-14 and the call to spiritual maturity

Discover what it means to move from spiritual infancy to maturity in this powerful exploration of Hebrews 5:12-14. Learn the difference between "milk" and "meat" in your faith journey and practical steps to grow deeper.
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#SpiritualMaturity #Hebrews #BiblicalGrowth #ChristianLiving #FaithDevelopment #SpiritualDisciplines #BibleStudy #ChurchLife #DiscipleshipJourney #FromMilkToMeat

When Did You Last Taste Something That Changed Everything?
Remember the first time you tasted bacon as a kid? That moment when your eyes got wide and you thought, "Wait—THIS exists in the world?" It's the difference between bland baby food and the full flavor of a perfectly seasoned meal.
Your spiritual life has that same trajectory. And here's the uncomfortable truth: God expects you to graduate from the bottle.

In his powerful sermon at Brookfield Church of Christ, Tony Padgett challenged believers with a question that cuts to the heart of our faith: Are we still spiritual infants, or have we moved on to the solid food of mature Christianity?

The Biblical Wake-Up Call
The writer of Hebrews doesn't mince words:
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food." — Hebrews 5:12

​Ouch. That's not a gentle nudge—it's a spiritual alarm clock going off at full volume.
The Hebrew Christians had been believers long enough that they should have been teaching others. Instead, they were stuck in spiritual preschool, needing someone to explain the ABCs of faith over and over again.
Sound familiar?

The Problem: Stunted Spiritual Growth
Here's what makes this passage so challenging: time had passed, but growth hadn't happened. The believers weren't spiritually immature because they were new to the faith. They were immature because they had wasted their time.

The Disconnect Between Time and Progress
Think about it this way: if someone has been working out at a gym for five years but still can't lift more than they could on day one, something's wrong. Either they're not actually exercising, or they're doing it wrong.

The same principle applies to our faith. God has an expectation—not a rigid timeline, but a genuine expectation—that we'll grow. That after hearing sermon after sermon, attending Bible class after Bible class, we'll actually become something different.

When Knowledge Doesn't Equal Maturity
But here's where it gets interesting: spiritual maturity isn't just about knowing more Bible verses. Paul addressed the Corinthian church with the same frustration:
"For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" — 1 Corinthians 3:3

You can memorize entire books of the Bible and still act like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Real spiritual meat means your life changes—your patience grows, your forgiveness flows more freely, your love becomes more than just words.

What's on the Menu? Defining Milk vs. Meat
So what exactly is "milk" and what is "meat"?

Milk represents the foundational doctrines:

• Repentance from dead works
• Faith toward God
• The doctrine of baptism
• Resurrection of the dead
• Eternal judgment

These are essential. You can't skip them. They're the "hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized" basics that bring you to Christ.

Meat represents spiritual maturity:

• The ability to teach others the gospel
• Skill in applying Scripture to everyday situations
• Discernment to distinguish good from evil
• Living out your faith in practical ways
• Defending truth with gentleness and respect

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." — Hebrews 5:14

Notice that word: practice. The Greek term is where we get "gymnasium." Spiritual maturity requires rigorous training, not passive Sunday-morning attendance.

A Modern Reality Check
Padgett shared a powerful personal story from his workplace. When he tried to share biblical teaching about baptism, a coworker immediately shut him down: "That's a work! You don't need to do that!"

The conversation ended before Scripture could even be opened.

This is what happens when believers aren't equipped to "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). We miss opportunities to share the gospel because we're not ready.

Your Mission Field Might Be Your Kitchen Table
Here's the beautiful part: being a "teacher" doesn't mean you need a pulpit or a seminary degree. Your mission field could be:

• Your own children
• A friend going through a crisis
• A coworker asking questions about faith
• A family member who's been watching your life

Can you sit down with someone and walk them through the simple gospel? Can you open your Bible and show them what it means to become a Christian?

If the answer is no, it's time to move beyond the milk.

Five Key Takeaways from the Sermon

1. Time alone doesn't produce growth—you need intentional engagement with God's Word
2. Spiritual maturity shows in changed behavior, not just increased knowledge
3. Every Christian should be able to teach the basic gospel to someone else
4. Milk is essential but not permanent—foundational truths launch you into deeper application
5. Meat requires constant practice, like training in a spiritual gymnasium

Practical Action Steps: Moving to Meat
Ready to graduate from the bottle? Here's how to start:

• Study with purpose: Don't just read—ask how Scripture applies to your life today
• Practice sharing your faith: Start small by telling your own conversion story
• Memorize key passages: Know where to find the plan of salvation in your Bible
• Apply what you learn: If you study patience, practice it in traffic that week
• Pray for opportunities: Ask God to open doors for gospel conversations
• Examine your spiritual diet: Are you consuming the same basic lessons, or are you digging deeper?

The Challenge: Stop Spilling Your Thimble
Tony ended with a convicting image: "I'm giving you a thimble full of milk. Don't be that person who spills it on your way out."

How often do we hear a powerful message on Sunday and immediately let it drain away before we reach the parking lot? We're already thinking about lunch, scrolling our phones, mentally checking out while the benediction is still being said.

Give God your full attention. Even in those final moments. Especially in those moments.

Discussion Questions for Deeper Reflection
As we close, consider these questions—whether in your personal devotion time or with a small group:

1. How long have you been a Christian, and what spiritual progress have you made? Be honest with yourself.
2. Could you sit down with a friend today and explain how to become a Christian using only your Bible? If not, what's holding you back?
3. What areas of your behavior still look more like "milk" than "meat"? Where do you need to grow in patience, forgiveness, or love?
4. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel from you? What's stopping you from starting that conversation?
5. What does "constant practice" look like in your daily spiritual routine? How can you train more rigorously?

Join Us for Deeper Study
If this message resonates with you, we invite you to join our Wednesday night Bible study at 7 PM, where we're diving deeper into the book of Hebrews. Whether you're taking your first steps in faith or you're ready for meatier discussions, there's a place for you at the table.

Don't stay stuck in spiritual infancy when God is calling you to so much more.
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The milk was necessary. But now? Now it's time for something more substantial.