The Call to Spiritual Maturity: A Warning for Today’s Church
In Hebrews 5:12-14, there is a stern warning to believers who have remained spiritually stagnant: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." This passage highlights a critical issue that is glaringly relevant today. Many believers, despite years of faith, remain stuck in a state of spiritual immaturity, unable to progress beyond basic teachings. They have grown complacent, and as a result, they lack the discernment and maturity that comes from a deeper relationship with God.
This spiritual immaturity is not merely a personal issue; it is a systemic problem within the church. Too often, preaching has shifted from delivering sound doctrine to offering entertainment. Paul’s words to Timothy echo this reality: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Perhaps that time has indeed arrived. Many sermons now focus on making congregants feel good rather than challenging them with the depth of God’s Word, resulting in a spiritually “dumbed-down” church. Believers remain on spiritual milk instead of moving on to the solid food of deeper biblical truths.
The church’s failure to address this issue is partly due to a lack of Spirit-filled men of God who have the courage to preach the whole Word of God. In many cases, the emphasis has shifted from proclaiming the hard truths of Scripture to entertaining and pleasing the audience. This has resulted in congregants not being encouraged to engage deeply with God’s Word. Many rely solely on Sunday sermons without taking the initiative to understand or apply the Bible themselves. This lack of personal engagement leads to a weak and shallow faith, easily swayed by misleading teachings or comforting myths. Compounding this issue is the troubling fact that the majority of born-again believers have never led anyone to Christ. This reflects a deeper problem within the church—an inability or unwillingness to actively share the gospel and make disciples, further highlighting the need for a return to robust, Spirit-led teaching and personal faith engagement.
The problem extends beyond passive listening; it affects the very ability to discern God’s will. Romans 12:2 commands us to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is." Without this transformation and renewal, believers cannot effectively discern God’s will or grow in their spiritual maturity. Yet, many remain content with a superficial faith, drifting along with the world rather than being shaped by the Word of God.
Jesus warned against this complacency in Revelation 3:16: "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." The lukewarm faith described here is a significant concern. Many in the church have become spiritually apathetic, satisfied with routine rather than seeking a genuine and challenging relationship with Christ.
While there are a few who sense the urgency of the times and strive for deeper faith, they are often in the minority. Many believers are, unfortunately, sleepwalking through their faith, unaware of the spiritual battles around them and unprepared to discern what is truly important. Jesus taught us to recognize others by their fruits (Matthew 7:16), but if we are spiritually immature, we cannot even discern what is fruitful and what is not.
The solution to this problem is clear but challenging. We must return to the Word of God with renewed commitment. This requires not just relying on preachers but engaging with Scripture personally and deeply. Like the Bereans, who "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11), we must commit to daily examination of the Scriptures. We must, as Paul instructs, renew our minds to discern God’s will and pursue spiritual maturity beyond the basics.
Furthermore, it is essential that those truly called by God to teach and preach stop worrying about offending people and focus on delivering the message the Holy Spirit imparts. The problem lies in the fact that too few preachers are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit, making it difficult for them to hear and obey His guidance. Preaching and teaching must be driven by spiritual conviction rather than the fear of disapproval or the desire to entertain. Only through Spirit-filled leadership can the church address its spiritual immaturity and return to a robust, truth-centered faith.
What the church desperately needs are Spirit-filled men of God who have the courage to preach the whole truth of Scripture, regardless of its popularity or the comfort it brings. These leaders must stand firm in delivering the depth of God’s Word and challenging believers to grow. Hebrews 5:12-14 serves as a wake-up call for both preachers and congregants alike. It’s time to move beyond spiritual milk and embrace the solid food of God’s truth. Only then can we overcome spiritual complacency and grow into the maturity that God desires for
I am a dedicated Bible teacher and evangelist, committed to understanding the Bible deeply and conveying its message in a simple, relatable manner. My primary aim is to lead others to Christ, help them grow in their faith, and teach the true Word of God. I focus on making biblical principles accessible to everyone, using straightforward language and practical applications. Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com