We intuitively think that the way to grow is to hear exhortation. That is normal and natural to the human mind. And exhortation has an important place. We need it. We are not mature Christians if we can never bear to hear the challenges and commands of Scripture. But the Bible teaches that healthy spiritual growth takes place only when such commands land on those who know they are accepted and safe irrespective of the degree to which they successfully keep those commands.