The modern Church has grown comfortable with spiritual infancy—hearing sermons but rarely studying, quoting, or meditating on Scripture personally. Instead of daily feeding on the Word of God, many Christians depend solely on Sunday’s sermon for their nourishment, much like newborns relying on a mother’s Milk. This spiritual malnutrition has produced generations of weak believers who cannot discern truth from error, light from darkness, or holiness from worldliness.
By Evangelist Peter Gee
Introduction: A Church Still in the Nursery
In an age when Christian resources are abundant, one would expect the Church of Jesus Christ to be strong, mature, and discerning. Yet the spiritual reality is sobering—many believers remain infants in the faith, content to sip the Milk of the Word rather than feast upon its solid Meat. The Apostle Paul saw this same problem in the early Church and rebuked the Corinthians, saying, “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able” (1 Corinthians 3:2). Likewise, the writer of Hebrews lamented, “For everyone who partakes only of Milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Paul’s warning echoes through the centuries into today’s pulpits and pews. The modern Church has grown comfortable with spiritual infancy—hearing sermons but rarely studying, quoting, or meditating on Scripture personally. Instead of daily feeding on the Word of God, many Christians depend solely on Sunday’s sermon for their nourishment, much like newborns relying on a mother’s Milk. This spiritual malnutrition has produced generations of weak believers who cannot discern truth from error, light from darkness, or holiness from worldliness.
The Difference Between Milk and Meat
Milk, in Scripture, represents the elementary teachings of Christ—the foundation of faith: repentance, salvation, baptism, and the assurance of eternal life. These truths are essential, just as Milk is vital for a newborn. But Milk is not meant to sustain Maturity. The “meat” of the Word refers to more profound spiritual truths—obedience, holiness, endurance, discernment, the fear of God, and the revelation of Christ’s lordship in every area of life.
Paul explained that the mature believer must move beyond the basics: “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). The Greek Word teleiotes means “completeness” or “maturity.” God desires believers who have grown in understanding, who can teach others, and who live out the Word in power and conviction.
As Peter urged, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). This growth is not just a possibility, but a promise. Milk is good—if it leads to growth. But remaining on milk leads to stagnation. Let us not settle for stagnation when growth is within our reach.
The Shallow Christianity of the Last Days
We live in an era prophesied by the Apostle Paul, who wrote: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
In today’s religious landscape, many sermons have increasingly shifted focus, prioritizing entertainment over genuine transformation. Rather than delivering messages that challenge believers to grow and change, many pastors opt for feel-good, motivational speeches designed to soothe the audience’s immediate desires. This trend caters to a superficial craving for comfort and reassurance, ultimately neglecting the deeper spiritual nourishment that believers truly need.
As a result, the contemporary Church’s appetite has drifted significantly. Where there once was a hunger for truth, there is now a preference for entertainment; instead of seeking conviction, many now opt for convenience and simplicity. The richness of Scripture is often distilled into catchy soundbites that are easy to remember but lack the depth necessary for spiritual Maturity.
This phenomenon gives the illusion of progress and growth, but it actually reflects a troubling state of spiritual infancy. Rather than advancing in faith and understanding, many are content to remain at a surface level, missing out on the transformative power of authentic discipleship and the profound truths of the Gospel.
Jesus warned that in the last days, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Love grows cold when the fire of the Word is no longer burning within. When believers no longer study Scripture for themselves, their discernment fades. The result is a powerless, worldly, and easily deceived generation of churchgoers who cannot rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). But with discernment, we can stand firm and not be swayed by the world’s deceptions.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins: A Lesson in Maturity
Jesus illustrated this divide between the mature and the immature in His parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13). All ten were virgins—symbolizing purity and faith. All had lamps, representing the Word of God (Psalm 119:105). Yet only five were wise and carried extra oil. The foolish five had the outward form of devotion but lacked the inward substance—the oil of revelation, obedience, and the Holy Spirit’s illumination.
This parable perfectly mirrors the contrast between those who feed on Milk and those who feast on Meat. The wise virgins represent believers who have grown in discernment and depth, keeping their lamps burning through continual fellowship with God. They store up oil by studying Scripture, praying fervently, and walking in obedience. The foolish virgins represent those who live off borrowed faith—dependent on others’ revelation. When the midnight cry came—”Behold, the bridegroom is coming!”—only those who had cultivated Maturity were ready.
Jesus’ closing words are a warning to the modern Church: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13). Milk drinkers will be caught unprepared; meat eaters will be alert and ready.
Paul’s Rebuke to the Corinthian Church
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians paints a sobering picture of spiritual Immaturity. “For you are still carnal. For where there is envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3). The Corinthians were gifted yet childish, operating in spiritual gifts without spiritual growth. They loved knowledge but lacked character; they had revelation without transformation.
The modern Church mirrors this same imbalance—many chase after miracles, titles, and recognition, yet neglect holiness, humility, and Maturity. The Corinthian Church had zeal without depth—power without purity. Paul’s solution was not more excitement but more growth: “Let all things be done for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26). True edification requires the solid food of God’s Word—sound doctrine, daily obedience, and disciplined study.
The Danger of Remaining on Milk
Remaining on Milk has serious consequences. The writer of Hebrews warned: “By this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God” (Hebrews 5:12). Immaturity keeps believers dependent on others instead of walking in a personal relationship with Christ. It leads to vulnerability—spiritual babies are easily swayed by false doctrine, emotional manipulation, and worldly compromise.
Paul cautioned the Ephesians: “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). False teachers flourish in a church that refuses to grow up. When believers do not know the Word, they cannot test what they hear. For this reason, numerous individuals are ensnared by the prosperity gospel, hyper-grace, and self-centered theology.
A mature believer, however, tests every Spirit (1 John 4:1), compares every message of Scripture (Acts 17:11), and walks in spiritual discernment. The immature believer merely nods in agreement to whatever sounds pleasing.
Growing Up in the Word
Spiritual Maturity does not happen by accident; it requires intentional pursuit. Just as physical growth requires consistent nourishment and exercise, spiritual growth demands disciplined study and obedience. Paul urged Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
A mature Christian doesn’t rely solely on Sunday sermons. They feed daily on Scripture, meditate upon it (Joshua 1:8), and apply it (James 1:22). Jesus Himself declared, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Growth begins when believers transition from being hearers to doers of the Word. The more one practices obedience, the stronger one becomes. The writer of Hebrews confirms this: “Those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Maturity comes through consistent practice—hearing, obeying, and discerning truth through the Spirit’s teaching.
The Role of the Word and the Spirit
The Word of God and the Spirit of God work together in perfect harmony. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). The Holy Spirit reveals the hidden wisdom of God to those who are mature (1 Corinthians 2:6-10). Without the Spirit’s illumination, the Word remains unread and misunderstood; without the Word’s foundation, the Spirit’s leading becomes subjective and unstable.
The mature believer walks in both Word and Spirit—balanced, rooted, and discerning. Paul reminded the Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). To dwell richly means to overflow; the Word becomes the believer’s language, shaping every thought, action, and decision.
Maturity Through Obedience
Spiritual growth is not measured by knowledge alone but by obedience. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (John 14:23). The mature believer does not pick and choose which commandments to follow; they yield entirely to the lordship of Christ.
James writes, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Deception thrives in those who hear truth but never practice it. The true mark of Maturity is a transformed life. As believers grow in obedience, they move from being spectators to participants in God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
The Example of Jesus Christ
Jesus is the perfect example of Maturity and obedience. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Even the Son of God submitted Himself to the will of the Father. His nourishment was not physical food but spiritual obedience: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
To eat the Meat of the Word is to walk as Jesus walked—to surrender one’s will, endure trials, and trust God fully. Milk is easy to swallow, but Meat requires chewing. It demands time, endurance, and patience. Many Christians avoid the beef because it exposes sin, challenges complacency, and calls for holiness.
The End-Time Church Must Grow Up
The Church of the last days cannot afford to remain childish. The coming persecution, Deception, and lawlessness will test every believer’s foundation. Only those rooted in the Word will stand. Jesus warned that many will fall away because they have no root (Matthew 13:20-21).
The mature Church is the victorious Church—the Bride that has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7). Her garments are not stained with worldliness but purified through the washing of the Word (Ephesians 5:26-27).
Paul described the goal of spiritual growth: “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). God’s desire is not a nursery full of spiritual infants but an army of mature saints ready to overcome.
Conclusion: Grow Up, Church
The Spirit of God is calling His people to grow up—to put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11) and pursue the fullness of Christ. The days of surviving on Milk are over. Every believer must take personal responsibility for their growth by studying the Word, praying in the Spirit, and obeying God’s voice daily.
The Church that feeds on the Meat of the Word will be strong, discerning, and prepared for the Bridegroom’s return. But those who remain content with Milk will find their lamps empty when the midnight cry is heard.
Let us heed the call of Scripture:
“Therefore, beloved, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).