Becoming Dull of Hearing: Hebrews 5:11-14
“11) Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14) But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14
After introducing the mystery of the priesthood of Melchizedek, the writer suddenly pulls back and launches into a lengthy discussion about a lack of spiritual comprehension and understanding. Hebrews 5:11-6-12 has a notable resemblance to 1 Corinthians 2:1-3:23. It is a worthy exercise to lay both texts out side by side and compare them.
In both cases the writer exposes the consequences of carnality and how it leaves the reader in need of spiritual milk and not able to digest solid food. Instead of moving quickly to spiritual maturity and comprehension, many believers are stuck in infancy. Sin not only grieves the Holy Spirit, it renders a Christian dull of spiritual hearing and understanding.
Many who should become fruitful teachers of the deep things of God are stuck in infancy. They struggle trying to understand and apply the basic principles of Gods Word and the Christian life. The deep mysteries of God will forever be beyond their grasp.
Satan loves entangling believers in sin and carnality. By doing so he keeps the dumbed down and separated from the abundant life Jesus intends for them. Hebrews 5:14 indicates the God wants us to feed on solid food and establish deep biblical conviction. He wants our senses to be trained to discern good and evil.
Tragically many believers today are blind and dull of hearing. Many young Christians are living in open fornication and the church remains silent. The same trend of the world on gender confusion has entered the church. Sexual addiction is rampant among believers. Marriages are falling apart because basic biblical principles are being ignored. Financial debt among Christians is at an all time high simply because many are chasing after the pleasures of the world rather than the fullness of Christ.
Both Hebrews 5:11-6-12 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-3:23 are very applicable to the modern church. We are stuck in sin and carnality and the spiritual infancy that follows. The modern church has become dull of hearing. We are in desperate need of a deep cleansing revival.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
