If you recall, as "babes" in the word, the milk was needed to grow. But, like a child grows and needs solid food, the "babes" in the word need to grow to the "meat" of the word. What is the meat? Let's read JOHN 4:32, 34
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
We see here that Jesus' meat was to do the will of his Father. And then in JOHN 6:27, 55 he said:
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Now, we know that Christ was sent to earth to be crucified for the sins of the world, but he was also sent here for an example for us to follow. We are told to be perfect (Matthew 5:48), and to "take up the cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). But to follow him, truly follow him, we need to know the "meat" of the word; God's will for us.
Paul tells us in HEBREWS 5:14
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Here we find that those that have the strong meat; truly knowing God's will for us, are those that are of full age; no longer children; no longer "unskillful in the word of righteousness". He explains why this it so important to have this "strong meat":
1 CORINTHIANS 14:20
20 Brethern, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
EPHSEIANS 4:14
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive:
He further explains in Romans and Philippians who it is that lies in wait to decieve us:
ROMANS 16:18
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
PHILIPPIANS 3:18-19
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
How sad it would be, if we "in malice" decided to stay "children" in the word, and were to be led away from Christ and him tell us "I know you not".
We also need the "meat" of the word to teach those around us which, Jesus makes plain to us, is his will, in Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, and John 20:21.
If we remain "children" and do not progress and grow into the "meat" then we can not be following Jesus' will, for it is written in HEBREWS 5:12
