JEALOUSY AND RIVALRY ARE SIGNS OF IMMATURITY
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
1 Yet I, brothers, was not able to speak to you like you were spiritual people, but like you were carnal people, like you were infants in Christ. 2 It was milk I gave you to drink, not solid food; because you were not yet able to digest it. But even now you are not yet able, 3 because you are still carnal. Because since there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not carnal, and are you not walking like a human?
carnal people
If you have followed Paul’s argument so far, you know that he admits to preaching a simple message of Christ crucified when he began working in Corinth. He did this intentionally, since he did not want people drawn to his rhetorical skill, he wanted to make converts for Christ. He gave the young, immature Corinthians what they needed: the milk of the word, not solid food that they would be unable to digest.
Yet, since then, new leaders have emerged in the congregations. These have been teaching new things that they claim is solid food for the mature believers. The trouble is, these so-called wise teachers are creating jealousy and rivalry. As a result, believers, who have the mind of Christ, are walking like a human.
LORD, we have betrayed you by our loyalty to some, and animosity toward others. Rid us of our jealousy and rivalry, and help us to grow into mature spiritual Christians.
