But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Summary: Living for Christ is a full-time job. When we first taste salvation, we are challenged to repent and taste the solid food of righteousness.
Have you ever been on a liquid diet? It is very different!
When my wife and I went through our personal experience with COVID, our appetites evaporated. I had never experienced anything like that before. Eating became a chore and we had to think of creative ways to get enough food in us to keep going. For a short while, the answer was going on a liquid diet.
While drinking a protein drink might sustain us, it didn’t satisfy us. As our appetites came back, we quickly gravitated back to “solid food.” There is something innately satisfying about biting and chewing.
Oddly, there is a similar process that occurs with learning. If we don’t have to work for our accomplishments, what we accomplish means very little. If success comes too easily, we do not appreciate it. Jesus explains this phenomenon while having dinner with a Pharisee named Simon.
To set the scene, homes in Jesus’ day were generally small. The warm climate allowed for the use of outdoor areas for social gatherings. People could come and go in ways that would seem uncomfortably intrusive in our modern society. This is why, when Jesus is at dinner, a woman can follow Jesus into where he is eating.
The woman brings a jar of perfume with her. Luke says, “As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 7: 38)
For some reason, the Pharisee knows this woman to be a “sinner.” He thinks to himself that she shouldn’t be here because she isn’t good enough. Jesus, he reasons, should know better than to let her fawn all over his feet. Having a “sinful woman” hanging around is a bad look.
Jesus, knowing Simon’s thoughts, tells Simon a story:
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7: 41-42)
Simon answers correctly. He says, “the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” (Luke 7:43) Just like the woman who is forgiven the “bigger debt,” we also have been forgiven our debt.
So what is the “solid food” that Hebrews refers to?
Hebrews suggests that there are two kinds of spiritual food; baby’s milk and solid food. The milk is the knowledge of salvation (Hebrews 5: 8-10) Solid food has to do with living a life that honors God (Hebrews 5: 14).
Application: Seek solid food.
Food for Thought: How do we learn to distinguish good from evil?
Thank you Jeff for today’s meditation. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks, Tim!
I’m glad the Spirit was able to use my words today! 🙂
⭐⭐⭐
How do we learn to distinguish good from evil?
I think Ron ( R2T2) thought that he was late to yesterday’s party was actually early for today’s when he mentioned …..
John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
I’d say learn what is good in God’s eyes, ask God for discernment, listen to the Spirit, and read His Word.
Nice summation!!
God’s word is of central importance in knowing right from wrong. When God gave the nation of Israel the Ten Commandments, He wrote them on a tablet. This was telling His community what He determined to be right and wrong behavior. When Jesus told us to love God and neighbors as ourselves, it was preserved in His word. We are told that to listen and do His word is building the foundation of our lives on the rock and to not do so is to build on ominous sand. Of course, we know that today because it was written down for us – Matthew 7: 24 – 27. The Law brings awareness of sin and need – Romans 3: 9 – 20. The Gospel gives life through faith. A Gospel that comes to us through His word.
Of course, The Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of His word. There are other important elements In understanding right from wrong. But without His written word, where would we be? Probably stumbling in the dark for a great amount of our lives. Psalm 119: 92, 102 – 105.
Stumbling in the dark for a great amount of our lives is a good description of my life before I had a relationship with Jesus that would take my hand and help guide me.
I can relate to that T. Thank you for your testimony.
Rich,
You pose an interesting question. If God had not left us a written record, where would we be? I am not sure I even know how to process that thought! We would be totally reliant on the oral history and the power of God’s Spirit in our daily lives. While that might sound like a good thing, without the plumb line of the Word, I don’t think the body of Christ could function very well.
12-27-2022, How do we learn to distinguish good from evil?
We live in a world ruled by Satan who is turning it upside-down. The concept of good and evil is now viewed through a perverted humanistic or individualistic lens. Many people can no longer distinguish between right and wrong or good and evil, and in fact good has become evil, and evil is becoming good.
To know the difference between right and wrong, we must first, stop the process of being conformed to this world, and live in the process of being transformed by the renewing or our minds. Seek and serve the One who from the beginning, has established the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. We must have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is not only important to know the Bible, but it is critical to know the Author of the Bible.
Romans 12:2
God has provided His Holy Spirit, the Third person of the Trinity for all believers. His word tells us a great deal about He who has come to us, will dwell in our Hearts, teach us about Christ and give each the power to SEE evil for what it is. Grow in and listen to the Holy Spirit, verify His guidance with God’s word and walk in peace and confidence in this corrupt world.
John 14:16-17, 16:8-15, 17:20-23, 1Corinthians 6:16-17
Well said, Ron.
A world ruled by Satan is upside down. We see far too much of that in the world today. You make a good point that we have to consciously resist conforming to this world. Instead, we conform to Christ through the Spirit and the Word.