We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 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! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
Footnote: In order to grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must train our consciences, our senses, our minds, and our bodies to distinguish good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one?
Our capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of God ("solid food") is determined by our spiritual growth. Too often we want God's banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As you grow in the Lord and put into practice what you have learned, your capacity to understand will also grow.
MATURE CHOICES VS. IMMATURE CHOICES
Teaching others vs. just being taught.
Developing depth of understanding vs. struggling with the basics.
Self-evaluation vs. self-criticism.
Seeking unity vs. promoting disunity.
Desiring spiritual challenges vs. desiring entertainment.
Careful study and observation vs. opinions and halfhearted efforts.
Active faith vs. cautious apathy and doubt.
Confidence vs. fear.
Feelings and experiences evaluated in the light of God's Word vs. experiences evaluated according to feelings.
One way to evaluate spiritual maturity is by looking at the choices we make. The writer of Hebrews notes many of the ways those choices change with personal growth.
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