“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Milk is for children, and solid food is for those who are mature. We know that from firsthand experience both as children and adults. We also know about the principle as it relates to knowledge in any field. Higher math can’t be negotiated without a basic foundation. In college, you need to start with the 100 series of classes, not with the 400 level. The Hebrew writer is just reminding his readers of a basic principle that they already know but perhaps have not applied to the scriptures or the Christian walk.

I recall as a boy when I was finally allowed to participate in grading tobacco before the big auction. That responsibility had to be earned by constant practice and learning from those who had the skill. Picking melons for shipping also required a special knowledge. If you picked them too ripe, they would spoil before they reached the northern markets. If you picked them too green, then they wouldn’t ripen when they made it to the stores. Anticipating the day a melon would ripen was a skill honed by practice.

So, eating solid food from a scriptural standpoint required practice in knowing the difference in good an evil. If you don’t know what is right from what is wrong, then you are not able to move on to more difficult tasks.

Task for Today: Work towards maturity by practicing discernment. Train to know the difference between good and evil behavior. You will not reach God’s goal for you if you stay a baby on milk. You must learn to eat solid food. Pureed peas can’t hold a candle to a sirloin steak.