INTRODUCTION

The apostle Paul wanted to educate the Corinthians concerning the deeper things of God; however, he was unable to do so because of their inability to grasp such spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 [1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] 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.
See All...). These believers displayed a carnality like none other found within the scriptures. As a result of their carnality, they also exhibited envy, strife, and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
See All...). As their boasting concerning the individuals they chose to follow escalated, the divisiveness also increased. Some of them boasted of following Paul, while others boasted of following Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
See All...). They were full of pride and Paul had to enlighten them concerning the foolishness of this strife. The strife birthed from pride yielded a foolish behaviour. Strife was all the evidence Paul needed to rebuke these believers concerning their carnality.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Jesus taught His disciples what it meant to be great (Mark 10:43-45 [43] But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: [44] And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. [45] For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
  See All...; John 13:13-17 [13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. [16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. [17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
  See All...). Nonetheless, the disciples because of their pride chose to strive amongst themselves (Luke 22:24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
  See All...). The disciples were carnal in their thinking.
• (For everyone): Since strife is an obvious indicator of spiritual immaturity, our partaking in strife should cause us to turn to a self-evaluation.
• Paul wanted to teach the Corinthians deeper spiritual truths. Why did he say he was unable to do so? Do you partake in strife? If so, you are likely missing the deeper spiritual truths that God intends for you to learn.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you if you are carnal.
• Ask God to help you mature beyond carnality.

HYMN

Take My Life, and Let It Be

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