Short Thoughts for Today

As I share my short thoughts for today I will be concluding the fifth chapter of the Book of Hebrews as I look to its final verse. In Hebrews 5:14 we read, "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." The writer has already spoken to the importance of spiritual maturity in the preceding passages. He has exhorted them regarding their inability to be teachers even though sufficient time had passed for them to be able to do so. They had remained babes in Christ past the time of infancy and had not matured and "become accustomed to the word of righteousness".

In today's verse of scripture he speaks further on the subject of maturity, stating first that "solid food is for the mature". I think there are two aspects for us to consider regarding this truth. First, mature Christians are those who have been prepared through the word and the sanctifying work of the Spirit to partake of solid food. And secondly, they have the necessity to partake of solid food. And there must be a "practice" of partaking in solid food in order for the benefit that the verse speaks of to have its effect. As we undergo the process of having our minds renewed, we must have our "senses trained" according to God's truths.

It is clear that one of the largest problems the Church faces in these days is that many of its members struggle with discerning "good and evil". This is a matter of great importance for the spiritual health of the body of Christ. Perhaps we cannot concern ourselves with the entire body of Christ being mature and discerning, although we might pray to that end. But we can start with ourselves, our families and our local churches in this important matter of discerning good and evil. May we mature in our faith through the partaking of solid spiritual food and by practice of the same have our "senses trained to discern between good and evil."