05-Aug-2024 – You need to grow spiritually to overcome carnality
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. -1 Corinthians 3:2
In this portion, Paul reminds the church of Corinth about their level of spiritual maturity. He takes an analogy of a babe who is taking milk in his infancy stage. Like that babe, the believers of the Corinthian church are still learning and focusing on the basic truths of the word. But Paul was expecting them to grow by the time he wrote this letter, to be able to understand the deeper truths of the word.
In this portion, Paul gives some checkpoints to determine whether we are baby Christians or mature Christians.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? -1 Corinthians 3:3
The first checkpoint is living with carnal influence, particularly envying, strife, and divisions. Envying is the feeling of discontent and resentment at others’ possessions and progress. This is a natural phenomenon in human beings. But once we accept the LORD Jesus Christ, we are taught about loving one another and being thankful for what we are and what we have by the grace of God. When we are newly born-again Christians, we may often not overcome envying. But over time, based on our fellowship with the word of God and the Holy Spirit of God, we will overcome. That’s when we become mature.
Also, when you think about strife, it is a conflict mostly expressed via angry actions. This also is natural for a carnal man. But once we are born again, we are taught about the humbleness and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We are expected to follow the same. When we are newly born again, there could be missed instances. But as we grow daily, we can avoid strifes and start loving each other.
Divisions are also a natural phenomenon of the flesh. We love to group with those who are near to our thinking pattern. There are other aspects like caste, favorite people, worldly idols of various professions, etc. People are polarized based on these aspects and divide within themselves, experiencing chaotic, painful exchanges.
When we grow in the Lord from baby level to grown-up level, these symptoms are not seen. Then we are ready to uncover the deeper truths of the WORD of God.
If we use the analogy here, if a baby drinks milk, he will get the energy required for baby tasks. But an adult requires strong food to accomplish adult tasks. He cannot drink milk and perform adult tasks. In the same way, when we start our relationship with Jesus Christ, we are expected to understand simple things from the WORD of God to practice in our life. But once we grow in fellowship with the LORD and the church, we are expected to witness the power of God through our lives. For that, we need a deeper understanding of the word of God.
This deeper understanding of the word cannot be achieved when we entertain carnal behavior, tendencies, and influence. So today, God is reminding us of the need for prayerful preparation to overcome the carnal nature. Yesterday, we learned that the Holy Spirit will help us to pray. Today, let us practice and ask God to teach us and enable us to overcome the carnal influence in our lives and get ready to go deeper in the WORD of God and the knowledge of God.
Prayer
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for reminding us today about the importance of spiritual growth in the word. You called us to do valiant deeds to glorify your name. For that, we must go deeper in thy knowledge, which comes only through thy word. Help us to understand this and practice it in our lives. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!
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