Hebrews 5:12 English Standard Version (ESV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

What does the milk of the Word suggest? If we look to this verse to explain the deeper meaning we will discover dependency. Needing someone tells us that an attitude of independence has been reached that relies upon ego. Milk is given to babes in Christ because they are helpless and dependent.

The basic oracles of God acknowledges that all things come from God. We would not have come to know God without God. Pagan beliefs never came to a knowledge of pagan gods because they do not exist. Pagan gods never show themselves. We come to a knowledge of God because He reveals Himself.

When do we get so proud that we feel like we no longer need God? Perhaps it is when we become so confident in ourselves that we stop turning to God as the source of enlightenment. Perhaps it is when we seek man’s praises above God’s approval.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 English Standard Version (ESV) but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Or perhaps we don’t like to be tested.

Sound doctrine will stand up to being tested. Teachers that are not tested are in danger of being believed because of what they know rather than who they know. Students should raise questions because it is a clear sign that they are willing to be vulnerable. “I don’t understand.” That is not a sign of weakness, it is an earnest cry for help.

Babies cry and that is okay. The mature who have forgotten how to cry have hardened hearts.

God tests the heart to see if it is still tender.

2 Timothy 3:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

Paul refers to an incident from the past. The occasion of that incident has a historical context in which learned men can draw on the mistakes of others. It is not that Paul is calling out individuals because that would be an accusation. So what is Paul saying?

Men who are inflicted with this same malady should not be allow to be in a place of authority within the church. They are not anointed to serve as pastors or teachers. Paul starts out this chapter with this warning; “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

What makes these times difficult? Is it today? Have we fallen upon hard times for the church?

Are young men being raised up in such a manner as to demonstrate the anointing? Do we have the atmosphere required to allow the anointing to shine? These words are not an accusation, they are in inference. It has happened in the past. Do we have safeguards in place to make sure it does not happen again?

Philippians 4:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV) ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Any earnest effort to place those safeguards need to first recognize the possibility and secondly to involve God in the solution. Our anointing, the presence of the Holy Spirit has the ability to enact God’s will if we will submit and obey.

Doing the right thing begins with allowing the anointed one to do in us God’s will first. God does not warn us without providing a way to avoid these difficulties.