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Solid. Trained. Mature.

By Dr. Al Hearne II

Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

The writer of Hebrews illustrates that spiritual growth in Christ is analogous to physical growth. Just as infants begin with milk and transition to solid food, Christians must progress from basic lessons to deeper maturity. We do not leave the foundation behind; we build on it, learning to live wisely among both truth and deception.

Maturity comes with practice. We develop discernment over time as we keep choosing God’s way each day. Every choice, from what we watch to what we say, who we follow, and how we react, helps us grow stronger in discernment.

God desires every believer to grow beyond spiritual immaturity. We are each called to become strong, steady, and discerning, able to recognize good and evil as our hearts are trained by His Word and Spirit.

Application

This week, actively train your discernment with intentional “practice decisions.” As you go through your day, pause purposefully and ask, “Does this choice draw me closer to Jesus or pull me away?” Take action by writing down one specific area where discerning right from wrong is difficult, then boldly ask God to sharpen your discernment in that area. Make your commitment visible, share it with a friend or family member, and hold each other accountable.

For families, embrace each scenario as a means of strengthening your shared identity as a "mini-discipleship community." Together, create and discuss scenarios that prepare you for potential challenges, beginning with simple situations for younger children, such as "Should I tell the truth even if I get in trouble?" and progressing to more complex ones for older children, like "How do I decide what music or media is worth my attention?" Approach these scenarios as acts of mutual shepherding, which transforms the exercises from mere tasks to meaningful missions. Make the regular practice of discernment a family goal, and celebrate the collective growth in wisdom and maturity, enhancing your shared journey in faith.

Reflection - Ask your children to reflect upon the following questions:

• Why do you think the Bible compares spiritual growth to moving from milk to solid food?
• What does it mean to “practice” discernment every day?
• How can our family help one another choose what is good and avoid what is harmful?

Growth in Action

Spiritual maturity means training our hearts to follow God’s truth. Here are some ways to practice:

• With younger children, use clear choices such as “good” (sharing, telling the truth) or “bad” (lying, being selfish), and ask them to practice choosing what is good.
• With older children, encourage them to reflect on why they make certain choices. Ask them to explain how they determined if something was right or wrong. To deepen their understanding and connect behavior to belief, follow up by asking, "What desire was underneath that choice?" This helps in surfacing their motives and aligns with guiding their hearts rather than just focusing on their actions.
• As a family, make it a daily habit to share at dinner one decision you made today where you chose what was right, even if it was hard. Encourage every family member to participate, and celebrate those courageous choices together, affirming each step taken toward spiritual maturity.

Discernment grows with use, not neglect. Treat each choice as a step to become stronger, more mature, and confident in God’s truth. Let every choice move you forward.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to grow in maturity and discernment. Give us the strength to choose what is good and to turn away from what is evil. Train our hearts and minds by Your Word and Spirit so that our decisions reflect Your wisdom. As we pray, we pause to name one specific choice we're facing (name the choice on your list here), seeking Your guidance to make the right decision. Help our family to grow steady in faith, rooted in truth, and guided by Your Spirit in every choice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.