1 Corinthians 8
Be on guard for puffy pride. Pride is definitely a common thread that is woven throughout this letter to Corinth, so what does spiritual pride look like? In chapter 8 it looks like someone so self-absorbed that he or she isn’t concerned about how a weaker Christian will be affected by their speech or behaviors. In verse 1 in the Amplified it says, “but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].” It also says, “mere knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud).” Puffy Christians rarely are aware of how puffy they are; they are focused on how much they know and how much they do and they spiritually steamroll the less mature Christian. They often spout off their knowledge, but in so doing, they push a weak, broken, hurting person farther away from God. The opposite of proud is humble. A humble person is yielded to God and to others, focused on how a person will receive instead of simply on what we have to say.
Psalm 132-135
Here is a spiritual truth in chapter 133: we often receive from the anointing as we yield to our spiritual authority. In Israel, there was one body of believers, and either you submitted to the priests and king or you didn’t. Today, we have lots of churches to choose from. People often pick and choose what church they want to go to instead of being led by the Holy Spirit. People often leave a church when they don’t get their way or don’t agree with what is being said or done. However, there is an anointing when people hear from God and stay faithful to one another in unity. Through the ups and the downs, through the agreements and disagreements, unity and submission to God’s chosen authority will prepare a congregation to experience the glory of God.
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