Milk and meat

[rojoloco]

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

There are obviously things of God that are not considered basic. They are referred to as the depths of God. Many people refer to these things as the meat of God.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

We have often heard this and used it as justification for not speaking the depths of God to immature Christians. We say things of that nature are too much for them to handle and that they might slip away or that we might act as a stumbling block to them.

It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

I used to be of this mindset. Lately, I have been reevaluating my stance. While it still makes sense to a degree, there is one part that has been on my mind. 1 Corinthians is filled with controversial topics that really go into the depths of God in detail. While it would make sense to avoid speaking of these things with immature Christians, Paul tells us the exact opposite. He says the people of Corinth were still immature. He says they are still not yet able to receive meat yet he then goes on to tell them all these things that we hold as being controversial meat. If anything, this goes to prove that even as controversial as they may seem, the entire epistle can actually be classified in the "milk" category. This leads me to wonder what exactly would be classified as meat. Do we have any Biblical examples or is everything in Scripture considered to be milk? Should we avoid some things in Scripture for fear of being a stumbling block or should we preach all the things of Scripture as being milk but only watch our practical actions when around immature Christians. It does not appear the preaching of the Word is considered meat but rather, the practical application when in the midst of immature Christians while we take part in our Christian liberty. I am convinced more and more than the modern Church has taken this out of context for fear of offending others. Any thoughts?

 

[jiggyfly]

What in Paul's first letter to the believers at Corinth do you consider as spiritual meat?

 

[Boanerges]

God meets everyone where they are Rojo. For you to engage in a deep study of something that someone else has yet to learn the rudiments of will usually not help their understanding. Once they cut their "spiritual teeth" that is another matter although they still generally move forward in increments.
This of course is entirely up to God and if we are led of the Holy Spirit then He will direct our words as well as our actions.
He is always right on time is He not?
In Genesis Jacob replies to Esau:
Gen 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
I think there is perhaps a message for us in that qnd perhaps the young need to be led tenderly.

 

[Veracity]

What someone reads in Gods word today with little understanding, is milk. Five years from now, it could still be milk if you don't understand it, even if someone explains it and you question their interpretation. When it becomes meat is when you have the revelation of what it is in truth according to the Lord, and you accept it. There is still a lot of choking going on in churches today.