Hebrews 5:12-14 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

Sweat was dripping down my brow. I breathed a series of heavy breaths and shakily lifted myself from the mat I was just recently thrown down upon. Standing up, my hapkido instructor announced that we would conclude our sparring and finish off with some stretches. My dad stepped in and talked to my instructor while one of the higher ranks led us in concluding stretches. As we finished, I returned to my father who was still talking to my instructor. My instructor turned to me and nodded, "You need to exercise more. You have good technique but you lack the strength to keep up."

It was a simple instruction. This was my final practice before I headed off to college. This was the last bit of wisdom he wanted to leave with me. Exercise more. He had stressed the lessons before. If you do not exercise and if you do not practice, you will never improve. The lesson given to the Hebrews is the same one. 

If I want to train my biceps, I must use my biceps. If I want to train my abs, I must use my abs. If I want to train my discernment, I must use my discernment. Anyone who trains knows that there is a right way and a wrong way to train. There is a right way and wrong way to grow in the word and having senses exercised. The thing with the text here is that the growth and practice of discernment is a sign of maturity. The muscle isn't atrophied, it is used. In it's use, it is strengthened. The lesson may be a little lost in the undertone of the text, but it is present. Use discernment!

It is a clear lesson. Discernment is necessary for where the people are. The writer is exhorting them to consider their ways! Right now, they are fearful for their lives and considering themselves, willing to lay down and neglect the salvation offered to them. The author is noting what a tragedy it would be if they did that and recognizes that the reason they would fail to walk out their faith is because of a lack of discernment. They are not seeing what is good or evil. They are following the whim of a newborn.

A newborn does not know right and wrong yet. They do not know what is dangerous or healthy. They simply act on the impulse of what seems right in that moment. If something is placed in my newborn's hands, he will put in his mouth and try to eat it. He has not discerned that it is not food, nor that what he is doing could be harmful to his body. As he matures, he must exercise discernment to grow in that. This is exactly what the lesson is to the Hebrews. They must exercise discernment. I will leave off with this exhortation from the psalms.