Discernment is an essential skill for Christians. It involves distinguishing between right and wrong, truth and error, and good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 encourages believers to grow in discernment, which is a process that involves spiritual growth, training, and application. I want to explore three critical points about discernment from Hebrews 5:14 and practical steps to develop and apply discernment in our lives.
1. Discernment is Developed
The first key point in Hebrews 5:14 is that discernment is developed. It is not a gift granted to some believers and not to others, but rather a skill cultivated through spiritual growth. The verse describes "solid food" as being for the mature, who have "trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." This means that as we mature in our faith and grow closer to God, our discernibility becomes stronger.
Discernment is essential because it helps us navigate the complexities of life as Christians. We are bombarded with messages from the world that can be confusing or even deceptive, making it challenging to know what is right or wrong. Discernment enables us to recognize truth from lies, good from evil, and God's will from our desires.
Practical Steps to Foster Spiritual Growth
To develop discernment, we need to foster spiritual growth. There are several practical steps that we can take to grow in our faith and strengthen our ability to discern:
- Reading and Studying the Bible - The Bible is the primary source of truth; regularly reading and studying it is essential to spiritual growth. Through the Bible, we can learn about God's character, His will for our lives, and how to live as followers of Christ.
- Praying and Seeking God's Guidance - Prayer is a powerful tool that helps us connect with God and seek His guidance. We can ask God for wisdom and discernment in our daily lives and trust Him to lead us in the right direction.
- Fellowship with Other Believers - We were not meant to live out our faith alone. Fellowship with other believers provides opportunities for learning, mentoring, and accountability. We can learn from other believers, grow in the community, and be held accountable for our commitments and convictions.
2. Spiritual Immaturity Hinders Discernment
The second key point in Hebrews 5:14 is that spiritual immaturity hinders discernment. The verse contrasts "solid food" with "milk," stating that those who still require milk are "unskilled in the word of righteousness" and "infants." This means that spiritual immaturity can impede our ability to discern and understand God's truth.
Spiritual immaturity can manifest in various ways, such as a lack of knowledge of the Bible, a failure to put faith into practice, or an inability to hear from God. When spiritually immature, we may struggle to distinguish between truth and error, making us susceptible to false teachings and deception.
Practical Steps to Overcome Spiritual Immaturity
To overcome spiritual immaturity and develop greater discernment, there are several practical steps that we can take:
- Commit to Growth - The first step is to make a deliberate decision to commit to growth. We must recognize that we are still determining where we want to be spiritually and consciously choose to take steps towards maturity.
- Pursue Knowledge - We must also prioritize gaining knowledge of the Bible and the teachings of Christ. This means dedicating time to reading and studying the Bible, attending church, and participating in Bible studies or small groups.
- Put Faith into Practice - Faith without works is dead, and spiritual maturity requires knowledge and action. We must put our faith into practice, living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives.
- Seek Accountability - Accountability is essential to spiritual growth. We should seek out other believers who can mentor and guide us on our journey towards maturity and hold us accountable for our actions and decisions.
3. Discernment is a Lifelong Journey
The third key point in Hebrews 5:14 is that discernment is a lifelong journey. The verse implies that the development of discernment is ongoing, with "solid food" reserved for the mature who have "trained themselves" to distinguish good from evil. This suggests that discernment is not a one-time achievement but a continuous process of growth and learning.
As we mature in our faith, our understanding of God's truth will deepen, and our ability to discern will become more refined. This means we must remain committed to our spiritual growth, always seeking to learn and grow in our knowledge and understanding of God.
Practical Steps to Maintain a Lifelong Journey of Discernment
To maintain a lifelong journey of discernment, there are several practical steps that we can take:
- Continually Seek God - We must make a conscious effort to seek God's guidance and wisdom constantly. This means committing to regular prayer and Bible study and staying open to God's leadership in our daily lives.
- Practice Discernment in Daily Life - We can also practice discernment in our daily lives by examining our thoughts, beliefs, and actions and ensuring they align with God's truth. We can ask ourselves, "Is this thought or action in line with what I know to be true from the Bible?" and "Is this decision in line with God's will?"
- Stay Accountable - As we grow in our faith, it is essential to stay accountable to others. We should seek out mentors and peers who can offer guidance and support and hold us responsible for our actions and decisions.
- Stay Humble - Finally, it's essential to remain humble throughout our journey of discernment. We must recognize that we will never fully know or understand all of God's ways and that we are always learning and growing.
In conclusion, Hebrews 5:14 reminds us of the importance of discernment in our spiritual lives. The verse teaches us that spiritual maturity is necessary for discernment and that spiritual immaturity can hinder our understanding of God's truth. We must commit to growth, pursue knowledge, put faith into practice, seek accountability, and practice discernment in daily life to overcome spiritual immaturity and develop greater discernment.
Additionally, we must remember that discernment is not a one-time achievement but a lifelong journey of growth and learning. As we continue to seek God, practice discernment, stay accountable, and remain humble, our ability to discern truth from error will become more refined, and we will live more fully in God's will.
Therefore, let us commit ourselves to this lifelong journey of discernment, seeking to grow in our faith and understanding God's truth. May we continually seek God's guidance and wisdom, practice discernment in our daily lives, stay accountable to others, and remain humble, knowing that it is only by His grace that we can discern truth from error and live in a way that honours Him
