Know Before You Grow
What is the one thing we as Christ-followers need to know before we can grow into mature Christ-followers? As I have titled this posting, you need to know before you can grow. As I was reading in Hebrews chapter 5: 11-14 it says…
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
In verse 14 it says “to distinguish good from evil”. Are you having a problem growing and reaching the next level in your spiritual walk? If so, maybe you are still struggling with the same “elementary” things the Jewish Christ-followers were during their time…In Hebrews chapter 6:1 it refers to the elementary teaching as learning the foundation of repentance (regret for any past action) from acts that lead to death and faith in God.
Maybe your struggle to get to the next level in your spiritual walk is due to you not applying the above basics to your own daily walk with Christ. Maybe you are reluctant to move past the “religious” tradition you have learned in the past. Maybe you are still trying to blend in with your old life and friends and are not 100% committed to doing away with sinful activity in your life. There will come a time when you will have to move outside of your comfort zones because commitment to Christ does move His children outside of their comfort zone.
The one thing you need to know before you grow is that growing into a mature Christ-follower takes discernment. You need to learn to train your mind and body to distinguish good from evil. The best way to learn good from evil, is to be in His Word (the Bible) and see what He has to say about things.
Hebrews chapter 4: 12 says “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
God’s word tells us what to do and what not to do, but we decide for ourselves whether we will listen or ignore His pleas. Sometimes we think we are capable of making our own decisions, and we can do it our way and in our own strength. It will not work in your own strength. Being in God’s Word will reveal who you are and who you are not. It will discern what is in you…both good and evil. You have to be in the Word, you have to listen to the Word and then you have to allow the Word to shape who you are. Now you can begin to grow.
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You hit the nail right on the head and drove your point home. Thanks again for an other great blog and God bless.
Also, Mama writes devotions and has a blog site of her own http://www.lisabannister.net/ .