How can we cultivate spiritual maturity to avoid divisions in our church? Recognize the Root Problem: Worldliness “for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3) • Paul ties division to “jealousy and dissension.” • These attitudes spring from the flesh, not the Spirit. • Spiritual maturity begins when we honestly admit any lingering worldliness, repent, and invite the Holy Spirit to govern our motives (Galatians 5:13-16). Receive Nourishment: Growing Beyond Milk • A few verses earlier Paul had given “milk, not solid food” (3:2). • Hebrews 5:12-14 reminds us that “solid food is for the mature.” • Daily, systematic intake of Scripture—reading, meditating, memorizing—moves us from infancy to adulthood in Christ (Psalm 1:2-3; 1 Peter 2:2). • The more we digest God’s Word, the less room envy and strife have to settle in our hearts. Redirect Our Focus: Christ, Not Personalities • The Corinthians rallied around human leaders (1 Corinthians 3:4-5). • Paul corrects them: “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed” (v. 5). • Fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) unites us; centering on personal preferences fractures us. • Celebrate diverse gifts while exalting one Lord (Ephesians 4:4-6). Respond with Love and Humility: The Antidote to Division • Philippians 2:3-4—“in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • Colossians 3:12-14—“put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” • Practical expressions: – Speak well of fellow believers. – Serve where needed, not merely where noticed. – Choose reconciliation over resentment (Matthew 18:15). Rely on the Spirit: Walking Daily in His Power • Worldliness thrives when we trust our own strength. • Romans 8:13—“if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” • Regular confession, Spirit-led prayer, and obedience keep jealousy and quarrels at bay (Galatians 5:22-25). Reproduce Mature Fruit: Practical Steps for the Local Body 1. Establish intentional discipleship—older believers mentoring younger (2 Timothy 2:2). 2. Value doctrinal depth in preaching and teaching; settle for no watered-down gospel (Acts 20:27). 3. Encourage transparent relationships—small groups where sin can be confessed, burdens shared (James 5:16). 4. Guard the unity of the Spirit by quickly addressing gossip or factional talk (Ephesians 4:29-32). 5. Serve shoulder-to-shoulder in mission; shared purpose dissolves self-centered squabbles (John 17:20-23). As each believer grows from worldly infancy to Spirit-filled maturity, jealousy and dissension lose their foothold, and the church stands as a unified, compelling witness to the power of the gospel. |
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