“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to
distinguish good from evil.” Heb.5:14 NIV.
Spiritual growth requires training of your reborn spirit through constant practice or use
of the Word of God. This will bring you into spiritual maturity. You will never get to the
point where you do not need to continue to grow. Your spirit needs training so that it will
grow to dominate your soul (mind) and body. This training comes from the consistent
use of the word of God.
The first step is a strong desire of the word of God just as a baby desires milk. “ as
newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” 1Peter 2:2.
NKJV. This scripture makes it clear that the word of God is the necessary food for
spiritual growth. A baby starved of milk will die. If the baby is not drinking enough milk,
his growth will be impaired. The same is true of your reborn spirit. If you deprive your
spirit of the word of God your spiritual growth will be stunted. Your desire for the word
of God must be so strong that you prioritize it in your life. “My son, give attention to my
words; Incline your ear to my sayings.” Prov.4:20 NKJV.
A baby that is drinking enough milk but either vomits it out or does not absorb the milk
will be sick and not grow. So, it is not enough for you to read the word of God. You need
to meditate on the word you have read so that it gains entrance into your spirit. This
entrance of the word of God will give your spirit understanding and light. “The entrance
of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:103 NKJV.
This means that the entrance of the word of God to your spirit will enable you
understand what is good (from God because only God is good: Matt.19:17). The word of
God also gives light to your path. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105. The implication of all these is that the word of God will keep you from
error and defeat in every area of your life.
It is also important that you walk in every light that the entrance of the word of God
gives you. This means that you should put into practice every word of God revealed to
you by the Holy Spirit. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do
what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone
who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives
freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will
be blessed in what they do.” James 1:22-25. NIV.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV