Progress or retrogress ∙∙
You have become spiritually dull and do not seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you the basic things about God’s word again. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. – Hebrews 5:11-12
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you have become spiritually dull and do not seem to listen.
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who, because of practice, have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
In the 21st century, doctors recommend that babies should not be fed solid food until around six months of age. Why is this so? Newborn babies need six months of breastmilk or formula for their stomachs to mature to handle solid food. Breastmilk or formula is the best thing for a baby, as it is perfectly designed for a baby’s body to give all the proper nutrients during the early months of their lives.
By the age of 4 to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating moderate amounts of solid foods to complement breastfeeding or formula feeding. People may disagree about the exact amount of time required.
But what about the children of the King who still act like spiritual infants, only consuming milk instead of solid food?
Paul was quite clear. He understood that people who had recently become the children of the King were indeed spiritual babies. They need baby food, the milk of the Word. On the other end of the spectrum, there are mature spiritual children of the King who can handle the solid food and meat of the Word.
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3
14 But a natural man [unbeliever] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.
1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you, I could not talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you were of the flesh or as though you were babies in Christ.
2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food because you were not ready for anything stronger. And you still are not ready,
3 for you are still fleshly [controlled by your sinful nature]. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove your sinful nature controls you? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
Often, a Greek term contains subtle nuances that provide a deeper understanding of what Paul is saying in our English translations. To help you understand better, it is beneficial to know and comprehend these finer points.
The Greek word translated as natural man [unbeliever] is psuchikos. Psuchikos has the sense of being “characterized by merely soulish reasoning.” This Greek term is also translated as “natural,” “sensual,” or “soulish.”
The Greek word that Paul uses for spiritual is pneumatikos. Pneumatikos means to be “characterized by the spirit,” that is, a spiritual person.
The Greek word that is translated as flesh is sarkinos. Sarkinos means “to be made of the flesh” in this context, a baby or infant. Paul has a nuanced view of the human condition. He refers to new believers as merely human, focusing on being weak, sinful, or transitory.
The Greek word translated as fleshly [controlled by your sinful nature] is sarkikos. Sarkikos means to be “characterized by the flesh.” “Although the Corinthians are Christians indwelt by the Spirit, their divisive behavior shows that they act like the unbelieving world around them” (ESV Study Bible).
REFLECT & PRAY
It is far past the time for the children of the King to stop acting like babies and grow up. We have only two choices: progression or retrogression.
Father, thank You for enabling us to enjoy the rich nourishment from the milk, solid food, and meat of the Word.
INSIGHT
There is a subtle danger. Spiritual maturity is not guaranteed. Many make significant strides toward maturity but then find themselves slipping back. Instead of continual progression, they retrogress and go backward. This is precisely what happened to the Jewish believers addressed in Hebrews 5. They had become spiritually “dull of hearing,” starting a dangerous, backward slide. This regression began with drifting away from God’s Word (Hebrews 2:1-4) and escalated into doubting His promises (Hebrews 3:7-4:13).
Hebrews 5:11-12 puts it plainly: “You have become spiritually dull and do not seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.”
The passage draws an essential distinction between time spent as a believer and actual spiritual maturity. From the Father’s perspective, growth in faith is not measured by how long we’ve been a child of the King but by the intentionality with which we pursue Him. Maturity requires deliberate effort, an ongoing dedication to engaging with God, and a willingness to be shaped by His Word.
But how do we pursue this kind of growth? It begins with immersing ourselves in Scripture and handling it with care and accuracy. Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:15 about the importance of rightly dividing the Word of truth. Learning to explain, apply, and live out Scripture makes us stronger in our faith—but this doesn’t happen overnight. It takes diligent effort, or as we might say, “practice, practice, practice.”
A key part of this practice is personal devotional time. The Father is the source of all spiritual transformation, and growth is impossible apart from Him. Spending time in His Word and prayer fosters a relationship with Him and creates space for Him to shape our hearts. Transformation starts here—it’s not an optional discipline for those seeking spiritual maturity; it’s essential (Stanley).
Every child of the King is called to pursue spiritual maturity. Spiritual growth isn’t just about gaining knowledge or being able to quote Scripture; it’s about living out the Word in our daily lives. We must let it transform our minds, guide our decisions, and change our hearts.
Unfortunately, many believers get stuck in their spiritual journey, mired in the basics of their faith. They fed on only the “milk” of the Word. While “milk” is essential for spiritual newborns, it’s not enough for long-term growth. Baby food is for babies. We need to move on to solid food—the deeper truths of Scripture—to fully develop our faith.
As children of the King, we must grow spiritually. Staying stagnant and clinging to basic teachings is like a cow regurgitating its cud. We are called to fulfill the potential that the Father has prepared for each of us.
How do we rise to this high calling? Take time to reflect and choose wisely.
¯_(ツ)_/¯5-01-2
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 