Growing by the Word

Have you ever seen a hungry newborn? A baby does not hide that hunger. The cry is strong, persistent, and difficult to ignore. Until the child receives milk, the desire does not simply disappear.

This is the picture Peter gives us in 1 Peter 2. He tells believers to crave pure spiritual milk like newborn babies. He is describing more than a mild interest in Scripture. He is calling us to desire God’s Word as something necessary for life and growth.

A newborn depends on milk for nourishment. In the same way, believers depend on the word of God to grow into spiritual maturity. Without steady nourishment from Scripture, our spiritual lives become weak.

Sometimes we lose our hunger for the Word because we are filling ourselves with junk. The world offers an endless supply of things to consume. Social media, entertainment, news, work, school, music, movies, and constant notifications can occupy nearly every quiet moment. Not all of these things are wrong, but they can become harmful when they leave little room for God.

Junk food may satisfy hunger for a moment, but it does not give the body what it needs. A person can feel full and still be poorly nourished. In the same way, you can consume information all day and still be spiritually empty. Your mind may be crowded, but your soul may not be fed.

When the heart is constantly filled with noise, quick entertainment, and endless distraction, there may be little appetite left for God’s Word.