Topic: For Ye are yet Carnal
Bible Reading: Proverbs 19-21 ; 1 Corinthians 3.
Memory Verse: “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)
Are you born again? Its not for you to tell anyone but to know it within yourself as there are follow-up questions that you will need to answer which will affirm or disprove your answer. As a born again child of God, when was the last time you spoke a lie? And can you remember whether you envy anyone around you?
Sometimes some people do not obey instructions of the office, church or their living area and such people have those who share their behavioural pattern and constitute themselves into factions, divisions or groups in those environments. No matter your reasons for having such a division, it breeds disunity and lack of love in such environment. Sadly enough, such factions sometimes occur even in churches! Remember apostle Paul admonished the Corinthians and asked them why some said they were of Paul, some others were of Cephas while yet others were of Apollos. He asked if they were baptized in his name and whether Christ is divided? ( 1 Corinthians 1:14-16),
In the process of such factions, you will give room for the devil to promote strive and other sins amongst the groups because they will be seen as opposition! Instead of sowing seeds of divisions, why don’t you work towards resolving the differences amongst the various factions and bring unity in the environment. This will make the people better and you would have shown yourself as a true child of God as you are called to ministry of reconciliation! (2 Corinthians 5:18 ). Such reconciliation can on its own be a form of evangelism as it can draw people to Christ.
While speaking to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul listed a few things common among them that made them carnal. 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV) says, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” So you need to examine yourself and identify any area of carnality in your life. Thus, if your behaviour is primarily driven by basic human impulses instead of the Holy Spirit, such that the works of the flesh are what manifest often in your life, then you need to go back to God for mercy. Because those who do such things cannot inherit the kingdom of God. ( Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)
The right place to start is to study the Bible more intentionally, with the view to understand the precepts or instructions and to live them out. Once you have the intention to live the word, the Holy Spirit will give you understanding and you will further compliment this by praying to God regularly asking Him for understanding and grace for obedience. If you do this with faith in God, you will see how you will be free from the clutches of your flesh.
Prayer point: Father, give me understanding of your word and free me from carnality in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero