“For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV
The Corinthians' lack of spiritual maturity, as evidenced by the prideful, petty, and self-promoting divisions that existed among them, was a cause of great concern for Paul. When discussing spiritual things, he wanted to be able to give them "meat" and not "milk." But they weren't ready to dig deeper into the truth. Instead of exercising their faith to maturity, they had remained in the familiar ruts of their old, fleshly (carnal) ways. They behaved like mere fallen human beings, dead in their spirits and dictated by the lusts of their flesh, rather than like the children of the living God. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” Paul cries in verse 16. Believers have the glory and power of God Himself living inside them! Our bodies are actually God's temple! His Spirit is Him, in all His fullness, and we can freely access that fullness. We can live in His power; we can shine with His glory; we can walk in His truth; we can see with His eyes; we can act with the character of His Son. By exercising our faith through obedience to spiritual maturity, we become more able to tap into the resources of the Holy Spirit. We come further under His influence. We behave not as mere men and women, still trapped in the bondage of sin, but as children of the living God, free and full of life and joy and power.
by Rebecca....
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