About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
What does really it take to distinguish from ‘good and evil’? What disciplines are needed? What understanding and discernment must you have? Obviously some type of maturity with an ability to listen to the Holy Spirit (not dull to His Voice) is needed.
Paul states it bluntly to the Corinthians.
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
I guess we should also ask “what is (spiritual) solid food?” I think there is a hint in this…
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3
Basic New Covenant doctrines / truths that you should know about are faith, repentance, the flesh nature, baptisms, when to lay hands on people, and when not to lay hands on people, what happens at physical death, and the 2 Thrones of God’s judgment. These are the basics according to the writer of Hebrews. Now reading this how do you grade your spiritual training that you’ve received? Are you ready to move on to the weightier and meat of spiritual knowledge, training, and disciplines?
Has your walk and training with the Holy Spirit included these subjects? Have your spiritual leaders addressed these topics well enough for you to explain them to others? Jesus didn’t come to set up a new ‘religious system’ but a new type of relationship with the Holy Spirit literally dwelling inside those who ask for Him. (for further study on this New Covenant relationship – read the book of Hebrews) This means the Holy Spirit has become your main teacher and mentor. And everyone who is spiritually mature should be able to explain how to connect with the Holy Spirit and learn how to discern His Voice within you, … to others.
Jesus said.. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26
Have you been guided by your spiritual leaders and mentors on how this relationship works with the Holy Spirit?
Have you ventured into the aspects of spiritual knowledge, the Kingdom of God, Heaven, and the time to come (after physical death)? What about spiritual warfare, advanced spiritual disciplines, suffering, and persecution? What about understanding Biblical prophecy, and receiving prophecy from the Holy Spirit? Has the Holy Spirit taught you on these subjects? Have you asked Him to?
So many are content with the elementary issues of the spiritual life. Are you hungry for more of God? Do you want to understand more? Are you filled with questions? If you are… good.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11