Day 60
Today’s reading: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Battle of Pride
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Battle of Pride 〰️
Reflections
It is quite an eyesore when two believers engage in public disputes on platforms like Twitter, so it is understandable why Paul uses strong language on this matter. These conflicts often boil down to a battle of pride—each person trying to prove they are more right than the other. However, we must never let our pride bring disrepute to the kingdom of God.
If the love of God and love for one another were truly settled in our hearts, disputes among believers would never escalate to the point of lawsuits. The love of God would compel us to deny ourselves for the greater good of His church, while love for His people would make us quick to forgive and, more importantly, prevent us from harming or cheating one another in the first place.
As believers, we must shift from merely asking, “Is this a sin? Is this lawful?” to a higher standard: “How is this helpful—to me and to the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 6:12). This perspective is key to navigating moral dilemmas concerning lawsuits, alcohol, prenuptial agreements, and other ethical questions.
Study Questions
Does Paul forbid lawsuits among believers? What type of lawsuits is he specifically referring to in this passage?
What solution does Paul propose for handling disputes among believers? How can his guidance be applied in our present-day context?
Conduct a verse study on 1 Corinthians 6:3-4 using commentaries. What does Paul mean when he says believers will judge the world and angels? Is this to be understood literally?
The Corinthian believers used the saying, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” as a justification for their indulgence. According to 1 Corinthians 6, what was the body truly made for?
Highlight
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
