“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Distinguishing good from evil requires training. Babies will put anything in their mouths. That’s why we keep medicines from children. They won’t distinguish between dangerous pills and M&Ms. When we become new believers we may make bad choices. The more we learn to know God and the more familiar we become with God’s Word the better our decisions will be.

This passage of Scripture refers particularly to young Christians who are being tempted to return to a religious system that disregards what Jesus has done. Religion that demeans who Jesus is and what He has done for us is deceptive and dangerous. The old priesthood, the old system of sacrifices, and the old rituals of religion are outdated. Jesus has fulfilled all those religious customs and now He is the one way to God.

Jesus’ sacrifice is enough to save us and He is our new, efficient High Priest. Maturity is learning to stand on what Jesus has done. Anything that draws us away from Jesus to back to religion without Him is dangerous. When we are mature we know that!