SPIRITUAL MATURITY

The very moment a person receives the gift of salvation, he is born into the family of God and urged to ... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Just as an infant requires milk for growth and good development, so it is with a new believer. Initially, basic truths concerning the faith are enough to nourish the 'born again' soul ... As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2) 

But as a baby grows, his diet must change to include solid foods. 

With this in mind, read how Christians in the early church were admonished ... In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Paul witnessed the same problem in the Corinthian church. They too had not grown in their faith ...And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

A Christian will only grow to the extent that he studies, comprehends, and applies God's Word to his life. Sadly, many who have been saved for years are still 'babies' in the Lord. They have willfully chosen to avoid the deep end of the pool and splash around in the shallow, 'easy believism' end. 

Sadly, many modern churches have relegated the Bible to a seldom-referenced book of 'religious suggestions', rather than God's source of wisdom. They've replaced it with amoral humanistic theology ... For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people’s own desires. They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

The inspired Word of God must be consumed and fully digested in order to grow spiritually. Your sanctification depends on it.