The Christians to whom the Epistle of Hebrews was written were in danger of leaving the Lord and returning to their former life of practicing Judaism. Basically, Hebrews is a book that exhorts discouraged Christians to continue strong with Jesus in light of the complete superiority of Who He is and what He has done for us. They were encouraged to “go on unto perfection [maturity]” (6:1). This instruction was given to those that had become “dull of hearing”(5:11) and were in danger of drifting away from the Lord (2:1). The author exposed their dullness of hearing and failure to mature (5:11-12); he also diagnosed their spiritual condition as babes in Christ (i.e., according to the time they had been followers of Jesus, they should have been much more mature than they were). Their diet of “milk”should have been a diet of “meat.”In the original language, the sense of “for he is a babe,” is “for he has become a babe.” There is nothing more delightful than a true babe in Jesus. Yet, there is nothing more irritating and depressing than someone who should be mature but who has become a babe! These Christians demonstrated immaturity by both their lack of discernment between good and evil and in their contemplation of giving up Jesus. Therefore, it can be said that all five human senses have their spiritual counterparts. Consider how discernment and exercise relate to our senses.
- We have a spiritual sense of taste: If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Peter 2:3). Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).
- We have a spiritual sense of hearing: Hear and your soul shall live (Isaiah 55:3). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7).
- We have a spiritual sense of sight: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18). The eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).
- We have a spiritual sense of smell: He shall be of quick scent in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:3). I am full, having received from… you, a sweet-smelling aroma (Philippians 4:18). Cf. 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.
- We have a spiritual sense of touch or feeling: Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord (2 Kings 22:19). The hardening of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness (Ephesians 4:18-19).
The mature Christian is marked by discernment and by unshakable commitment. The ability to discern is a critical measure of spiritual maturity. Babes are weak in discernment, and they will accept any kind of spiritual food. However, through the exercise of our spiritual senses (trained by practice and habit) our discernment between good and evil will produce maturity.
