Why Spiritual Growth Matters—An Easy-to-Understand Guide
Have you ever seen a baby trying to eat a steak? Of course not—babies drink milk because that’s what their bodies can handle. As they grow, they move on to solid food. The Bible uses this everyday picture to talk about spiritual growth and maturity.
What Does “Need Milk” Mean in the Bible?
The phrase “need milk” comes up in several places in the Bible, especially in Hebrews 5:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 3:2. When the Bible talks about needing milk, it’s not about actual food—it’s about the kind of teaching people are ready for.
· Milk = Basic teachings about God and faith.
· Solid food (sometimes called “meat”) = Deeper, more advanced teachings and understanding.
The writers were saying that some people, even though they had been Christians for a while, were still acting like spiritual babies. They hadn’t grown enough to handle the “meatier” parts of their faith, so they still needed the basics—milk.
Why Is This a Problem?
The passage in Hebrews points out that by a certain point, believers should be teaching others, but instead, they still need to be taught the basics themselves. In simple terms: imagine someone in high school who still needs help with their ABCs instead of writing essays or solving equations. That’s what the writer is warning about—don’t get stuck!
· Staying on milk = Not growing spiritually, missing out on the full life and understanding God offers.
How Does This Apply to Us?
Just like we hope children grow into adults, God wants us to grow in our faith. It’s good to start with the basics—learning who Jesus is, why he came, and how we can be saved. But, as we spend more time as Christians, we’re expected to dig deeper, to understand more, and to live out what we learn.
Examples:
· It’s like learning to ride a bike with training wheels—you don’t want to use training wheels forever!
· Or think of a job where you only ever do the simplest tasks, never learning new skills or taking on more responsibility.
What Are “Elementary Truths”?
These are the starting points of faith: God loves you, Jesus died for you, you are forgiven, and you can have a relationship with God. While these truths never stop being important, they’re meant to be the foundation, not the whole house.
What Is “Solid Food” in Faith?
Solid food means understanding things like:
· How to live out your faith in everyday life
· How to make wise decisions based on what God says
· How to love difficult people, forgive, and keep growing
· How to recognize right from wrong, even in tricky situations
According to Hebrews, people who are “mature” have trained themselves to tell the difference between good and evil—they aren’t just going through the motions, but have a real, living understanding of God’s ways.
Why Is Growth Important?
If we stay spiritual babies, we miss out on the richness of faith and the ability to help others. The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” If we’ve learned a lot, we’re expected to use it and to keep learning.
Practical Steps to Grow Spiritually
· Keep reading and learning from the Bible, not just the easy parts
· Ask questions and seek help when you don’t understand
· Try to live out what you learn, not just hear it
· Help others who are newer in faith
Conclusion
The Bible’s warning about “needing milk” is just a way of saying: don’t stay stuck in the basics. God invites us to grow, to mature, and to experience more of what He has for us. Just like in life, growing up is sometimes hard, but it’s always worth it. Keep moving forward, and you’ll find that your faith becomes richer, stronger, and more satisfying—like moving from milk to a good, hearty meal.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 