by esther phinias | 5 July 2021 08:46 am07
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a joy to welcome you once again as we reflect on the life-giving words of God.
Throughout Scripture, God reveals His deep desire for His people to grow in knowledge, discernment, and spiritual maturity. Yet time and again, He is met with an obstacle: our spiritual complacency and laziness in listening.
The Apostle Paul encountered this same resistance. After receiving profound revelations about Christ—particularly His eternal priesthood in the order of Melchizedek—Paul longed to share these insights with the church. But he was hindered, not by lack of knowledge or willingness, but by the spiritual dullness of the people.
Being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Hebrews 5:10–11, ESV
The Mystery of Melchizedek and Christ
Melchizedek, a mysterious figure first mentioned in Genesis 14:18–20, is described as both king and priest—a rare dual office. He blessed Abram and received tithes from him, demonstrating a priesthood that predated and was superior to the Levitical order. The psalmist later prophesied of the Messiah:
The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’
Psalm 110:4, ESV
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, connects this to Christ in Hebrews 7, showing that Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, not bound by genealogy or human regulation, but established by the power of an indestructible life.
But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him.
Hebrews 7:24–25, ESV
This is a deep and glorious truth, but Paul lamented that the believers were not spiritually ready to receive it. They had become “dull of hearing”, meaning they were lazy, uninterested, and spiritually immature.
Modern Spiritual Laziness
Sadly, this issue remains just as relevant today. Many believers claim that sermons are “too long,” or biblical texts are “too deep,” and they quickly lose interest. Yet they can binge-watch movies for hours, scroll endlessly through Instagram, or read hundreds of pages of fiction with no complaint. We give our attention to entertainment but complain when asked to give 10 minutes to the Word of God.
We must ask: What does this say about our spiritual hunger?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6, ESV
The Lord rewards those who diligently seek Him—not those who merely show up occasionally or only when it’s convenient.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6, ESV
The Example of Paul
Despite receiving great revelations—so great that he was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from pride (2 Corinthians 12:7)—Paul never stopped learning, reading, or seeking God. Even in prison, near the end of his life, he wrote:
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:13, ESV
These likely included copies of the Scriptures (the Law and the Prophets). If Paul, a man caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), still yearned to read God’s Word, how much more should we?
Hindering Our Own Growth
Our lack of spiritual discipline is often the very reason why God seems distant. We expect divine revelation without making room for it. We long for “deep things” yet avoid the foundational disciplines—prayer, study, meditation on Scripture.
Jesus Himself once said:
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
John 3:12, NIV
Christ wanted to reveal more, but He was limited by the people’s spiritual immaturity. How often have we missed out on deeper truths because we were too preoccupied with the trivial?
A Call to Spiritual Diligence
The Christian life is not passive. We are called to grow, to mature, to press forward:
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.
1 Peter 2:2, ESV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18, NIV
Time spent on entertainment or social media is not neutral. It competes with our time for God. Not having Instagram or Facebook will not make your life worse—but neglecting God’s Word certainly will.
If we’re serious about knowing God, we must be willing to turn off distractions and pursue Him with intentionality.
Final Exhortation
Remember, God expects His children to grow day by day—into maturity, into Christlikeness, and into deeper intimacy with Him.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…
Hebrews 6:1, ESV
Let us not be lazy listeners. Let us be diligent seekers of truth.
Shalom.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2021/07/05/48598/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.