Being a discerning Christian is being a Christian who glorifies God. Discernment is a discipline every Christian must practice. When we are serious about our walk with Christ and look to dig deeper into the Scriptures, our capacity to discern accurately grows. Thus we continually need a steady diet of the Words of God to hone our discernment skills.
“Concerning him 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 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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil” (
Heb. 5:11-14).
When I became a follower of Christ five years ago, I only knew that I was a terrible person and that Jesus Christ gave His life so I could stand before God and be forgiven: not because of anything I did, but because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The only way I knew that was from the faithful preaching of the full counsel of God’s Word. It was read and explained to me consistently, and I grew to understand more. To be sure, in those early days I was dull of hearing, but the text states “You have become dull of hearing.” The passage is pointing to someone who should have known more at this time or someone who has lacked in studying God’s Word rightly and therefore has a lack in his discernment.
The passage then notes that “By this time you ought to be teachers.” You have become dull of hearing, and as a result, you are not where you should be in your walk with Christ. You have become lazy in studying the Word of God, and as a result, you are not fit to be teachers. This is something everyone in ministry needs to consider: when we become dull of hearing the Word of God, we become unfit for our ministerial duties. If we are to be teachers or preachers who honor God and effectively serve our brothers and sisters, we must regularly feed on the Word of God.
When we are lacking in our regular study, we must return to the basics. As the text says, “You have come to need milk.” The milk refers to the elementary principles of the truth of God, or the “oracles of God” as the text says. The passage adds “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.” Learning the basics of the Christian faith lays a solid foundation for the believer. Working through catechism with your kids comes to mind. This is a great way to lay a basic foundation for the Christian walk of your children. Singing hymns also lays a foundation for them to lift praises to God. But going back to the basics is sometimes necessary for the more mature believer when they appear to have fallen short of what they should know.
These last two verses clarify why we need to learn the harder truths as well, and why training ourselves in the Word of God is necessary for us to grow in sanctification: “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.”
Not only are we to diligently study the Words of God, but we are also called to practice what we learn, applying the text to the various situations in our lives that emerge. The mature Christian or leader will be able to discern good from evil. Drawing on the Words of God over time, the mature should have gained wisdom from their involvement with various situations, meaning they have helped someone through difficult times or experienced trials themselves, such as deaths, fights, and opposition. These real situations that enter our lives are meant to sharpen us. God uses these situations to grow us in Christ. Sometimes that is the only way our finite and stubborn minds will learn anything.
We also have to be willing to humble ourselves and admit when we need help, which takes discernment. Knowing when to call on a brother or sister for help is a sign of spiritual maturity and reminds you that you cannot live the Christian life by yourself. You might think you can because you are prideful, as we all are at times, but “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18).
Biblical Discernment and Why It Is Necessary
Being a discerning Christian is being a Christian who glorifies God. Discernment is a discipline every Christian must practice. When we are serious about our walk with Christ and look to dig deeper into the Scriptures, our capacity to discern accurately grows. Thus we continually need a steady diet of the Words of God to hone our discernment skills.
When I became a follower of Christ five years ago, I only knew that I was a terrible person and that Jesus Christ gave His life so I could stand before God and be forgiven: not because of anything I did, but because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The only way I knew that was from the faithful preaching of the full counsel of God’s Word. It was read and explained to me consistently, and I grew to understand more. To be sure, in those early days I was dull of hearing, but the text states “You have become dull of hearing.” The passage is pointing to someone who should have known more at this time or someone who has lacked in studying God’s Word rightly and therefore has a lack in his discernment.
The passage then notes that “By this time you ought to be teachers.” You have become dull of hearing, and as a result, you are not where you should be in your walk with Christ. You have become lazy in studying the Word of God, and as a result, you are not fit to be teachers. This is something everyone in ministry needs to consider: when we become dull of hearing the Word of God, we become unfit for our ministerial duties. If we are to be teachers or preachers who honor God and effectively serve our brothers and sisters, we must regularly feed on the Word of God.
When we are lacking in our regular study, we must return to the basics. As the text says, “You have come to need milk.” The milk refers to the elementary principles of the truth of God, or the “oracles of God” as the text says. The passage adds “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.” Learning the basics of the Christian faith lays a solid foundation for the believer. Working through catechism with your kids comes to mind. This is a great way to lay a basic foundation for the Christian walk of your children. Singing hymns also lays a foundation for them to lift praises to God. But going back to the basics is sometimes necessary for the more mature believer when they appear to have fallen short of what they should know.
These last two verses clarify why we need to learn the harder truths as well, and why training ourselves in the Word of God is necessary for us to grow in sanctification: “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.”
Not only are we to diligently study the Words of God, but we are also called to practice what we learn, applying the text to the various situations in our lives that emerge. The mature Christian or leader will be able to discern good from evil. Drawing on the Words of God over time, the mature should have gained wisdom from their involvement with various situations, meaning they have helped someone through difficult times or experienced trials themselves, such as deaths, fights, and opposition. These real situations that enter our lives are meant to sharpen us. God uses these situations to grow us in Christ. Sometimes that is the only way our finite and stubborn minds will learn anything.
We also have to be willing to humble ourselves and admit when we need help, which takes discernment. Knowing when to call on a brother or sister for help is a sign of spiritual maturity and reminds you that you cannot live the Christian life by yourself. You might think you can because you are prideful, as we all are at times, but “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18).
About The Author
1689 Covenantalism | Post Millennialism | Reconstructionist Theonomist
Matthew Smith lives in McCune, Kansas, alongside his wife, Nichole, and their 9-year-old son. He experienced the regenerating working of The Holy Spirit after 32 years of disobedience, thanks to God’s grace. This transformation occurred through the expositional preaching of a faithful pastor, who shed light on God’s word, drawing Matthew to repentance. His life’s purpose now revolves around serving God and His people.
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