Hebrews 5:14—“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
The writer had much to teach concerning Christ’s high priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, but his readers had become “dull of hearing” (v. 11). They still needed spiritual milk when they should have been ready for “strong meat”, the fuller and deeper truths of God’s Word.
Those “of full age” are spiritually mature believers. Their maturity does not arise merely from advancing years, long church membership, academic learning, or familiarity with theological terms. They have grown through the continual reception and application of Scripture. “By reason of use”, their spiritual senses have been “exercised”, or trained, to distinguish good from evil.
Discernment is therefore not mere intuition or suspicion. It is the moral and spiritual judgment developed when God’s Word governs our thinking and conduct. As bodily strength increases through exercise, spiritual perception becomes sharper through the habitual study and practice of biblical truth. Those who repeatedly obey Scripture learn to recognise sound doctrine, detect deceptive teaching, resist temptation, and choose what pleases God.
The ability to discern “both good and evil” is increasingly necessary in a world where error often appears attractive and sin is renamed as liberty, love, or personal fulfilment. A believer unfamiliar with Scripture can easily be influenced by popular opinions and persuasive teachers. Mature Christians test every claim by God’s written Word.
Do not be satisfied with hearing sermons without applying them. Read Scripture carefully, meditate upon it prayerfully, and obey it consistently. Receive correction humbly and examine every teaching biblically. Through such faithful use of God’s truth, your spiritual senses will be trained, your discernment strengthened, and your life increasingly conformed to Christ.
