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Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (14) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

SPIRITUAL SENSES (DISCERNMENT)

HEBREWS A.The Christians to which the Epistle of Hebrews was written were in danger of leaving the Lord and returning to their former life of practicing Judaism. B.This instruction was given to those that had become “dull of hearing” (5:11) and were in danger of drifting away from the Lord (2:1). C.The author exposes their dullness of hearing and failure to mature (5:11-12); he also diagnoses their spiritual condition: babes in Christ (i.e., according to the time they had been followers of Jesus, they should have been much more mature than they were). D.Their diet of “milk” should have been a diet of “meat.” E.These Christians demonstrated immaturity by both their lack of discernment between good and evil and in their contemplation of giving up on Jesus. F.Therefore, it can be said that our human senses have their spiritual counterparts.

I. WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE OF TASTE A.That situation left a bad taste in my mouth. B.1 Pet. 2:3 If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. C.Ps. 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.

II. WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE OF HEARING A.“I didn’t hear you.” Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. B.Isaiah 55:3 Hear and your soul shall live. C.Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

III. WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE OF SIGHT A.O, I see now (understand). B.Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18). C.The eyes of your understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).

IV. WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE OF SMELL A.That idea really stinks. B.2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (15) For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (16) To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? C.Philippians 4:18 I am full, having received from... you, a sweet-smelling aroma.

V. WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE OF TOUCH OR FEELING A.I really feel good about this new job. B.2 Kings 22:19 Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord. C.Ephesians 4:18-19 The hardening of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness.

VI. WE HAVE A SIXTH SENSE - EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION - INTUITION A.Something tells me there is something wrong. B.Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (3) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. C.Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

HOW ARE YOUR SPIRITUAL SENSES? A.The mature Christian is marked by their discernment and by their good spiritual senses. B.The ability to discern is a critical measure of spiritual maturity. C.Babes are weak in discernment, and tell right from wrong. D.The exercise of our spiritual senses (trained by practice and habit) help our discernment between good and evil. E.Have you exercised your spiritual senses to tell good from evil?

HAVE A DISCERNING WEEK