Milk to Meat

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”

Hebrews 5:13-14

I started dating Rebekah at the tender age of 14. Growing up, we used to do family devotions and read a book of Proverbs corresponding with the day of the month. We read in Proverbs 4:7, “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” Rebekah and I had been dating for all of two days and I took this verse to mean that if I loved her, she would keep me. 

Well, two months later I learned that either I didn’t love her or this is not what the verse meant. I asked her out on May 2nd and she dumped me on July 2nd. I should have thought about what this verse really meant, but I dismissed it and moved on.  

Years later, we were preparing for our wedding and I wanted this verse included at the beginning of the ceremony. I still did not take the time to know what this verse meant, and I once again applied it incorrectly, but to me, it sounded great. 

I was reading this very Proverb one morning and it struck me that this verse was not referring to my bride, but rather Wisdom and the study of “her”. My naïve study was to my new blonde haired, blue-eyed beauty, and it was not to the Word of God. I was drinking the milk and not the meat of the Word. I was a novice and looking for my own wisdom and not the wisdom of the Word of God. I have read through the Bible several times but I did not always apply it to discern good and evil. 

Are you one that is a babe in the Word? Do you know the Word of God as you should? Do you desire the meat of the Word or you looking for a message to tickle your ears? Are you seeking wisdom from celebrities and television shows, or are you studying to show yourself approved unto God? May we ask God to open our eyes and hearts to truth, and may we use His Word to discern between that which is evil and that which is good. Infancy is defined by a short period in life and should not span a lifetime. In what stage of spiritual growth are you?