BABES IN CHRIST: Devotion for Monday December 7, 2015

BABES IN CHRIST    Monday December 7, 2015

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1 – 4    Memory verse: v 1

Paul reproved the Corinthians for their contentions (3:1 – 4) and he called them babes in Christ. Paul used plain language which suit the people better than deeper mysteries to challenge their carnality. Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of carnality. True religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. Being carnal as Paul used it is having little religious knowledge or spiritual discernment; being still much under the influence of evil.

Many Christians show themselves as not matured yet, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speaking evil of others. These are signs of being led by personal desire. Mature believers are in tune with God’s desires. How much influence do our desires have on our life? Our goals should be to let God’s desires be ours. Being controlled by your own desires will stunt your growth. Are you still a babe in Christ? Grow up now.

Food for Thought: Hebrews 5:13

Prayer: Lord crucify my own desires in me and let yours take precedence in my life in Jesus name.

CONTROLLED BY YOUR DESIRES? Devotion for Monday October 5, 2015

CONTROLLED BY YOUR DESIRES?            Monday October 5, 2015

                      

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:3                 Memory verse: v 3

Paul was obviously worried about the spiritual state of the Corinthian church. He did not mince words in saying they were carnal. His reasons are the issues of envy, strife, divisions among themselves. Though they were Christians, yet their divisions and strife show that they are yet, in some degree, under the influence of worldliness. Men who are governed solely by the principles of this world evince a spirit of strife, emulation, and contention. One would ask, where is the love for one another that Jesus gave as new commandment (see John 13:34)?

Envy, as the root, bears strife, and strife breeds divisions and factions. Envy is a pestilent lust; it makes another's good our grief. The devil rejoices at the destruction of sinners and sows seed of discord amongst Christians. Again, strife and contention, differences and divisions, are often found in the churches of Christ, and among particular Christians and that so far as these prevail in and among any, it evidences that they are carnal. Are these evidences in you? See Romans 6:21; 8:7, 13 and Galatians 6:8.

Food for Thought: A carnal man cannot please God nor get His blessings.

Prayer: Lord God, deliver me from every form of carnality in Jesus name.