Text: Hebrews 5:11–14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
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.
SYMPTOMS OF SPIRITUAL FAMINE: Loss of Appetite for the Word
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
Loss of appetite for the Word of God is a major symptom of spiritual famine. When you no longer find delight or nourishment in the Scripture, it is a sign that the inner man is weak or sick. The Word of God is spiritual food, the bread and water of life for the soul. Jesus declared in Matthew 4:4: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Ignoring the Word is starving the spirit.
In healthy believers, there is a hunger for truth, a longing to hear God speak, and a desire to grow in understanding. But during spiritual famine, the heart becomes dull, distracted, or disinterested in God’s Word. Reading the Bible becomes burdensome; hearing sermons becomes boring; and meditation loses meaning. This spiritual loss of appetite is dangerous because it slowly leads to deception, confusion, and backsliding.
Hebrews 5:12–14 describes believers who should have matured but remained spiritual infants: “Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God… for every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness.” When there is no appetite for the Word, spiritual growth stops. Immaturity then opens the door for compromise and error.
The devil knows that a believer filled with the Word is a dangerous threat. That is why he attacks our attention, time, and focus, keeping us busy with worldly distractions so that we neglect the Scripture. Psalm 119:11 reminds us, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” A Word-filled heart cannot easily fall into sin or deception.
To recover spiritual appetite, one must return to the altar of devotion, ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle desire for truth. Just as physical hunger returns when health improves, spiritual hunger revives when we spend time in God’s presence. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.”
Beloved, if your hunger for the Word is fading, do not ignore the warning signs. Feed on the Scripture daily. Read, meditate, and obey. The Word restores life, renews faith, and revives joy.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 30: SS&S 902: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
- My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
- When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
- His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay - When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, restore my hunger and passion for Your Word; make the Scripture sweet and alive to my spirit again.
- Father, deliver me from every distraction and spiritual laziness that keeps me from feeding on Your truth.
- Lord, awaken in Your Church a deep hunger for Your Word. Let believers everywhere return to the truth that gives life.
