Hebrews 5:12-14 | What's the lesson for me today?

May 14th, 2026
by Zachary Matus

Eyes Wide Open

The way that we perceive the world changes the way we interact with it. Look at the various cultures around the world and how differently they act. In some countries, it is an insult to deny a glass of wine when your host offers it. In others, it is shameful to show the bottom of your feet. Others still, it is appropriate for a son to order his mother around. The culture you live in and the way you perceive things changes how you interact with it.

Scripture highlights an important truth in Romans 12. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Ephesians talks about the importance of being renewed in the spirit of our minds. It also talks about how Jesus washes His bride, the Church, with the washing of the water by the word. In so many places, Scripture emphasizes the importance of mindset. We are instructed in Colossians to think on things above, not on things on earth. Philippians 4:8 is a popular list of what we are told to meditate on. And here in Hebrews, we are given the direction of having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The lesson that is at the forefront of my mind through this is exercising discernment. This is another thing Scripture has a considerable amount to say. We are called to be discerning. We ought to discern spirits, circumstances, evil, good, how to approach with the message of the gospel and even, by way of the word, our own thoughts and intents. It is a marker of maturity. So as believers, we ought to face those challenging questions of our lives. We like to allow things and give passes to our pet sins. But that only shows the immaturity. An adult who understands the value of their own life knows to look both ways before crossing the street. A child who thinks they know best is willing to cross despite the potential dangers. Maturity in our faith keeps us. I will conclude today's devotion with a proverb that speaks on this.

10 When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
11 Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
12 To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths;
16 To deliver you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words,
17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God.
18 For her house leads down to death,
And her paths to the dead;
19 None who go to her return,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—
20 So you may walk in the way of goodness,
And keep to the paths of righteousness.
21 For the upright will dwell in the land,
And the blameless will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth,
And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.
-Proverbs 2:10-22

What lesson are you taking today?