Releasing the Anointing | Dr. James Tan
Recap
Special guest Dr. James Tan continued his message entitled, “Releasing the Anointing.” He used Hebrews 5:14 as his text: “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.” Dr. James said, “This tells us there is solid food available, but it only belongs to those who are full age.” If there is full age, then that means there is a half age, or partial age, or young age. God’s goal for us is that we grow and mature into “full age.”
Dive Deeper
Dr. James said, “I’ve been talking about this subject because I believe this is where the Lord is having us, the church, to grow to a place where Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age.”
God’s goal for you and me is that we grow and mature into “full age.” Babies are cute, but 40-year-old babies are not cute. Sadly, the only place where we tolerate 40-year-old babies is in church.
There are people who’ve been coming to church a long time, but still act like a baby… and we put up with them! That’s not right. God intends for believers to attend a good, solid church where there’s a good flow of the Word where you can grow by it.
He said, “What does grow by it mean? That means “how I used to, I ought not be. I ought to be better than. Not better than someone else. Just better than me. Me from a year ago. I’m not comparing me to you. I’m comparing me to me.” So…
My goal is a year from now, I intend to be sharper in the things of the spirit than I am now.
My goal is a year from now, I intend to be deeper in the Word than I am now.
My goal is a year from now, I intend to preach better than I do now.
We must be in a state of continual growth because the alternative is a state of “no growth.”
The definition of full age…
Hebrews 5:14, “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.”
This phrase gives us the definition of what “full age” looks like: “…that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
It’s important for you to know where you are because that’s the place where God can grow you from. If you pretend to be somewhere else, you are not where you need to be so God can grow you where you actually are into something else.
Conclusion: Don’t pretend to be at a level of spirituality that you are not, just because you want others to think more highly of you. Don’t pretend.
Dr. James said…
I best be where I am.
I best be how I am.
I best be who I am.
Say to God, “God, here’s me. Here’s how. Here’s where. Help me!” He said, “As long as I recognize here’s where I is, then God can help me.”
You must have that mindset when studying how to grow spiritually in relation to the Word and the Spirit. There needs to be a balance between the two. The old saying goes, “If you have the Word only, you dry up. If you have the Spirit only, you blow up. But if you have the Word and the Spirit, you grow up.” You need both the Word and the Spirit to grow up.
People often get into a ditch. One ditch is when people are so hardcore on the Word that they’ve squeezed out every ounce of the Spirit. And there is the other ditch when people have a tendency to call anything miraculous and fail to have discernment of spiritual beings and can’t tell the difference between the Holy Ghost and Casper the friendly ghost! Both ditches are not where God wants us to be. He wants us to be in the middle of the road.
How to you become of “full age?”
Hebrews 5:14, “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.”
This verse defines how to become of “full age”: “that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
“By reason of use… by reason of use… by reason of use.” In other words, he’s saying if you don’t use it, you will lose it. This is not about being judgmental. This is talking about knowing the difference between good and evil.
The phrase continues: “…by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
There is some “exercising” that needs to happen. There’s got to be some work that’s got to take place “who have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
This is necessary. Notice it says “good and evil.” Not good and good. Not evil and evil. Again, many people fall into a ditch. Where some see only evil everywhere they go. They never see good. Then there are others that see only good and never recognize evil. It’s important to be able to discern both good and evil. Stay in the middle of the road! Balance is a good word!
We must exercise our senses to know the difference between good and evil. The issue isn’t judgment. The issue is discernment for security and safety. Dr. James said, “I’m not trying to discern good or evil so I can judge you in it. I’m trying to discern good or evil so I can protect me from it. Big difference!”
Acts 16:6, “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
It’s necessary to allow God to say “no” to us. Not just “yes.” Maturity can be gauged by how we handle the “no’s” of God. It’s easy if God gives you a “yes” on everything.
Read About It
Hebrews 5:14, “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.”
Acts 16:6, “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.”
Discussion Questions
Dr. James used the verse in Hebrews 5:14: “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.”
Describe the person who is of “full age.”
What is the difference between a Christian who is still a baby and someone who is of full age?
How does a Christian exercise his senses to discern both good and evil?