1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Introductory Thoughts

A Christian’s carnality hinders his true potential for service to the Lord. Additionally, carnal living also prohibits the future spiritual growth God intends for every Christian to experience. 1 Corinthians 3:1 provides two connections between carnality and Christian growth. First, carnality indicates that an individual has not previously matured in his walk with the Lord. As such, the apostle Paul said the Corinthian believers were carnal, as babes in Christ. Secondly, carnality stunts the future spiritual growth intended by God in every Christian’s life. Paul confirmed this truth by stating that he had some things he wanted to tell the believers at Corinth. He pointed out that their carnality convinced him that they were unable to receive what he would like to say.

Devotional Thoughts

  •  (For children): A baby has to eat every day to grow–first drinking milk, then eventually eating meat. God wants us to feed on His word daily (by reading, learning, and doing it) so we can grow (1 Peter 2:2). We learn the easier parts first (milk), followed by the more difficult parts (meat).
  •  (For everyone): Think back over your Christian life. Have you grown in the Lord? Are you currently growing? Are you as mature in the Lord as you think that He would have you at this point in your Christian walk?
  •  Do you recognize anything in your life that the Lord would like to correct but your carnality impedes your development? Do you readily receive truth from God’s word and adjust your actions accordingly?

Prayer Thoughts

  •  Ask the Lord to help you grow daily.
  •  Ask God to help you receive His truth and conform your life to it.

 

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