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.

So are the words of the apostle from Hebrews 5:14. Discernment being the product of the endeavor of the exercise. Is this necessary? Should the believer not just go along with the crowd or should he just take you at your word, or should the believer leave it up to the scholars to tell him what is good or what is evil?

The primary task of the Pastor is to feed the flock of God according to Peter. Sincere milk is obviously part of the diet of the Christian but here the emphasis is upon that which seems to be with a different texture and weightier than than of milk. Milk seems to be for the ongoing growth of the child of God and here strong meat if for the mature who have sense to discern.
That is to distinguish what is good verses that which is evil.

Is this necessary? It doesnt seem to be in our modernistic churches where the world is more obvious than God. The down dressing of worship is a way of life. Lacking in authenticity, or any form of distinction from any other gatherings, it is very user friendly. Believers and unbelievers are likened as to be alike rather than representatives of two distinct kingdoms. Not to worry, few notice the difference or even recognize that they are to be distinct. Bring on the band, music that makes a feeling of sensuality permeate the entire congregation and thereby refusing the spiritual requisites of God in order for sinful man to worship. OK enough said, you have the picture. Where is the discernment of the mature? When the in mature dictate to the leadership or challenge the teachings of the word of God and decide not to follow...this is as your children dictating to you parents what is right and wrong. Perhaps this generation thinks accordingly.

The antidote for the lack of discernment lies in the theological diet of the church. Pastors bring on the meat. I enjoy milk but bring on the meat. I need it and so does the entire congregation. May God's men as we set the table, to feed the flock, provide meat to mature the congregations that God has entrusted to us and no one else. Discernment is required in the every day living of the believer. No, we would not have God's flock scattered by every wind of doctrine. But growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Chirst.

As shepherds of His flock, we must protect the sheep as well as provide for the sheep.

God help us, we must give an account as we watch for their souls...