The Bible is described as food for our spirits. In 1 Cor 3:2 and 1 Pet 2:2, it is likened to milk, the staple food for the baby. But just as a baby does not remain on milk forever, so too we need to progress in our understanding of the Word. Paul talks about ‘solid food’ (1 Cor 3:2) and this image is also mentioned in Heb 5:11-14. In other places, the Bible is said to be even more indispensable than bread (see Matt 4:4) and is likened to honey (see Ps 119:103).
Having a balanced diet is considered one of the key ingredients of a healthy lifestyle.
We too need to grow in our appetite for the Word of God, meditating on it night and day (Ps 119:97). It provides all the nutrients we need for spiritual growth and gives us guidance, leading us in the way everlasting and helping us to know spiritual success (see Josh 1:8). Without a growing hunger for the Word of God, we will never grow up spiritually. Each of us needs to be thoroughly soaked in the Word of God, drawing from its waters and chewing on its meats on a daily basis.
It is not enough, however, to simply absorb the Bible theoretically, acquiring a sound knowledge of it but failing to apply its teaching to our own lives. Knowledge is valuable, but what God is looking for is obedience; He longs for us to respond to His Word and to do what it says (see James 1:22-25). Just as a baby cannot survive on milk alone forever, so we too must move on to the ‘solid food‘ in the Word, but we also need the balance of prayer, fellowship and witnessing; we need to take in, but we also need to give out.
What’s our diet like? How’s our obedience? The Word of God is living and active (Heb 4:12), able to cut through our self-deception and provide us with the hope and perseverance we need to walk with God (see Rom 15:4). In order to grow, however, we need to eat and drink. Let’s be prepared to dig deep into the Bible and discover its delights for ourselves and then let’s be prepared to put into action all that it says!