INTRODUCTION

The Corinthians were the epitome of carnality. The apostle Paul desired to educate them on the deeper things of God, but could not 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...). As a result of their carnality, there was envying, 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...). The people caused divisions by boasting of the person they followed. Some 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 so proud, but Paul quickly enlightened them on the foolishness of their strife. Strife is birthed from pride, but it yields foolish behaviour. Strife was all the evidence Paul needed to convict these believers of carnality.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller 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...). Because of pride, the disciples ended up striving among 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.
• If strife is an obvious indicator of spiritual immaturity, what should we learn of ourselves when we partake in strife? What does this suggest that you need to do?
• 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 deeper spiritual truths.

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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