But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.

6. How might some today be in need of similar admonition?

⁶ Are there any among us who have been associated with the Christian congregation for years and yet are not able to teach others the basic doctrines of the Bible? After years of association with God’s people, do some still have difficulty in letting their conscience distinguish right from wrong? Do they still want others to make decisions for them in matters of conscience? Any who find themselves still needing instruction in the basics of Christian teaching and living should certainly be working hard to acquire maturity. Christians should not be like builders who never get beyond the foundation of the building, the “foundation” in this case being elementary or primary doctrines about Christ. They should press on to complete the building or the superstructure that rests upon that foundation, namely, the more advanced teaching about God’s purpose as revealed through his Son.

7. Why is the immature Christian who fails to exert himself to grow up spiritually in a dangerous position?

⁷ The immature Christian who fails to exert himself to become firm in faith, progressing no farther than the elementary things of God’s Word, stands in grave danger. He does not really have the strength to resist the pressure of error and false worldly reasoning and therefore may be “tossed about as by waves” and carried to a disastrous end. (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 6:4-8) Those who remain “fleshly,” harboring jealousies, envies and enmities, are likewise in a dangerous position before Jehovah God. Such traits are among the works of the sinful flesh that can keep one from gaining life. As the apostle Paul put it: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning you, the same way as I did forewarn you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”​—Gal. 5:19-21.

ATTAINING SPIRITUAL MATURITY

8. How does the attaining of spiritual maturity differ from gaining physical maturity?

⁸ But how can one cease to be a “fleshly” man and attain spiritual maturity? Unlike physical maturity, which is automatic, spiritual adulthood is attained through sincere effort. It requires humility and a genuine desire to conform one’s life to the pattern outlined for Christians in God’s Word. It involves study and meditation to acquire a deep understanding of God’s will and purpose, learning to rely on him instead of on human reasoning. Have you thus applied yourself with a view to spiritual growth? Are you acting in accord with the Scriptural counsel to “stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty”?​—1 Cor. 16:13; Heb. 5:14.