A Simple Test

Dr. Tony Evans

In His Presence: Psalms 25:14-15

The writer of Hebrews included a simple test to determine who is a "milk" Christian—a carnal Christian—and who is a "meat" Christian—a mature Christian. "By this time you ought to be teachers" (Hebrews 5:12). We should be able to sit down with our children and explain simple Bible truths. Husbands should be able to sit down with their wives and answer their questions. By this time, if we are meaty, mature Christians, we should be able to sit down with the Bible and help someone else know the Truth. We should be able to lead an unbeliever to the Lord.

"Everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness... But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). If we willfully refuse to go deeper into the things of God, we will not use the Word because we won’t know the Word. The old saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it." We can't lose our salvation, but we can forget how to walk in the Word and how to be His representatives.

If we are mature Christians we use God’s Word every day. We practice His Word in our everyday life. The phrase "senses trained" comes from the Greek root word for gymnasium, like a training ground. We are trained in discernment of good and evil.

One Minute Please

Moving from milk to meat is learning God's Word and practicing it until it becomes a habit, a natural way of thinking, and a normal way of perceiving things.