Peter and Paul describe a learning, training and growth pathway in the NT that uses the metaphor of spiritual food (or spiritual diet) to show how believers can grow, develop and mature.
Both Apostles use the language of “Milk”, “Meat” and “Strong Meat to emphasise this.
Let’s unpack these three(3) “food types” and see what we can understand.
MILK
Milk represents the most basic and elementary foundational teachings of the Doctrine of Christ, repentance, faith towards God, Baptisms, Laying On of Hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement.
Paul says in Hebrews 6:1-2 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Paul writes that “Milk” is the first principles, or the basics of the Oracles of God.
Milk is for spiritual babies.
1 cor 3:2 – And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it,
neither yet now are ye able.
Milk is for baby believers unable to teach the Word correctly, and are as yet unskillful in the Word.
Hebrews 5:12 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;
and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrew 5:13 – For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Milk is for Christian babies to grow, because they also desire (want) to grow. They are spritually hungry !!
1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
MEAT
Meat is not for Christian babies who cannot bear it, because they are still carnal.
1 COR 3:2-3 – I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are still carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,
are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
STRONG MEAT
Strong Meat is for those full of spiritual maturity, by exercising and practice using all their spiritual senses they are able to discern good from evil.
Heb 5:14 – But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
WHAT THIS ISN’T
We are not talking about physical diet and physical food groups
(like vegetarian, Keto, vegan, carnivore, etc) or religious dietary laws (like Kosher or Halal, etc).
Paul says The kingdom is not meat and drink (actual physical food, dietary laws, etc) but righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost..
Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Paul also says do not let anyone judge you in what you eat or drink, or in respect to holydays, Moons and Sabbaths. Such judging only leads to vanity and being puffed up in pride in our carnal minds. Special diets are irrelevant.
Colossians 2:16-19 – Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.
DOCTRINES OF MEN
We are also not talking about weird pagan and worldly philosophies that swirl around religious communities and sometimes enter the Church. Many of these issues are discussed in detail in other parts of this website.
Lets look some good scriptures that tease out the this concept of the false “Doctrines of Men” that lead us away from a healthy spiritual diet.
Matt 15:9 – But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:7 – Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Colossians 2:20-22 – Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Hebrews 13:9 – Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
THE “MEAT” IN JESUS’ LIFE
Jesus describes His spirtual food as simply being obedient to the Father. That’s it.
Jesus says I have meat (food) you don’t know of…
JOHN 4:32 – But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
My Meat (food) is to do the will of Him that sent me, and finish his work …
John 4:34 – Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Our goal is ultimately to be just like Jesus, and firstly understand God’s will for our life, and secondly be obedient to perform what God has asked us to do. Sadly, most Christians cannot fulfill, or don’t want to fulfill the basic
instructions of Jesus by NOT getting water baptised, by NOT sharing the Gospel, by NOT gathering correctly, and NOT attempting to make disciples.
As believers we are called to learn, understand and obey the commands of Jesus.
If we are obedient in the basics, then the Holy Spirit can trust us with other instructions.
We can easily test any believer to determine how obedient they are to Jesus, but asking how they perform these basic instructions from Jesus. If they cannot or will not obey Jesus and the NT instructions, we are instructed to just avoid them. Don’t waste your time… dust off your feet, and move on.
Romans 16:17 – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Happy eating !!
(c) Copyright 2022, 2025 – These are original works and the property of Martin J Spratt. All rights are reserved. Do not copy or reuse these original works without express permission from the author.