Spiritual Immaturity

Hebrews 5:11-14

Men and women who should be instruments of usefulness to others are often spiritually immature. They are like babies and small children, who must be constantly instructed in elementary principles of the faith. This is what we see in the latter part of Hebrews chapter five.

Great Loss

True believers lose much by immaturity. The apostle had many things yet to say about Christ, our great Melchisedec. There were many great treasures to be revealed, many great truths to be taught, many great mysteries to be unfolded; but it was difficult for him to plunge into the great, wonders of Christ’s work as our Priest before God and the great mysteries of his Person, because there were many among the Hebrew believers who were still babes in grace, “dull of hearing,” immature. If he gave them strong meat, he knew that they would choke on it. Therefore, before moving on to weightier matters (as he does in chapter 7), the Holy Spirit inspired him to reprove those who continue in immaturity and urge them to grow up.

Unacceptable

It is a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless, that many who have been believers for a long time and ought to be mature in the things of God remain babes (v. 12). Immaturity is acceptable in children; but immature adults are an embarrassment to their families and repulsive to others. The apostle is here saying, “Brethren, it’s time for you to grow up. Stop acting like children.”

Babies require milk, “first principles,” abc blocks, and coloring books. Mature believers need and feed upon the strong meat of the Word. Being unstable in the Word of righteousness, spiritual babies must be spoon fed, lest they be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (vv. 13-14). Incapable of discerning good and evil (doctrinal good and evil), such infantile men and women must be constantly given the abcs of the gospel, the first principles of divine truth.

Unprofitable

As long as a person is satisfied with such spiritual immaturity, he both robs himself of great joy and blessedness, and remains unprofitable in the kingdom of God. Babies have childish minds, behave in childish ways, are greatly affected by childish toys, and provide no real usefulness to others. If we would be useful to others, we must seek grace from our God to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.