We began studying practical teachings for everyday life for Christians taught from the Apostle Paul to Corinth. Paul opened the letter to Corinth telling them he had heard of divisions among them. A correspondence had come to him with many concerns of these divisions and other behaviors for which they obviously requested Paul to address. For Christians today, many practical lessons of righteous behavior are found in the teachings of the Apostle Paul. With a diversity of people in each congregation, problems causing division have been Satan’s greatest device in his arsenal; which should not be.
What is the root problem which causes divisions? Let us see what the Apostle says.
Paul began the letter introducing the topic of division in the congregation, or assemblies, at Corinth. In chapter 1 he speaks of those having contentions with others. These contentions were caused over new believers trying to decide who they should follow. You notice it is a human of which they were choosing to follow. With only their new found faith, and the little knowledge of true righteous godly behavior, Satan still could control their thoughts. They wanted to follow the one who had baptized them, not Jesus Christ.
They were saying, “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” (vs. 12) Paul asks them, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (vs. 13)
To whom do you follow? Is the answer causing contention among brethren because you are following a man or a few men you look up to? There are people who follow their minister instead of following God and Jesus Christ. Leaders follow common ideologies of other assemblies whether right or wrong. We learned a few weeks ago we are to be of the same mind and judgment. However, it is to be the same mind and judgment of God, not man. Satan causes division by his main arsenal; deceit. Satan has used deceit from the beginning of mankind upon the earth, beginning with Eve.
We need to be very careful not to follow man but God. We are commanded by Apostle Paul’s teachings unto Timothy, to rightly divide the Word of Truth. This requires us to study the scriptures to find truth consistent with all scripture. This is not for our human leader or preacher to do this for us. Why? Because, God said, those who believe a lie shall be damned and perish. The unrighteous that perish do so because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. They believe deceit from Satan. For this cause God sends them strong delusions, allowing them to believe lies. Believing untruths by following men will not save them. If they do not seek the counsel of God for answers, they are found by God to have pleasure in unrighteousness; sincerely perhaps unknown to themselves. Sadly, too many do not know they are in this state of delusion. They have not learned the consistencies of scripture to solidify their faith and conviction. They are using another’s conviction.
Now more from Apostle Paul from 1 Cor. 3:4-5. 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
We seem to have a conundrum; ministers by whom ye believed are men. However, what are these men doing and for whom are they doing it? Being ministers of God for the will of God, Paul says, 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
The planter and the one who waters are nothing. They are fellow servants of God; ministers by whom ye believed. Mere men! It is by the power of God through his angels and spirit world who opens the heart to receive truth. It is God that giveth the increase, Paul says. Through the carnal mind can God see the possibilities of righteousness. The influence of righteousness and God’s Spirit realm, including spirit beings doing the will of God, truth became understandable to the sinner. The door to salvation was opened. Now it is up to the new believer to diligently seek new spiritual truths by the aid of God, God’s spirit realm, and by fellow believers. This takes time; and, God knows that.
What did these ministers say which God had them speak to convict man? Paul said it was the preaching of the cross. 1 Cor. 1:18. Yes, ministers of the Word of Christ are to speak as the oracle of God. This means they better know beyond a shadow of a doubt the mind of God. This was what Paul began telling the congregation at Corinth. 1 Cor. 1:10. The original language written infers the mind and judgment of God is to be used to speak for the conviction of man from his sins. 1 Peter 4:11. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. It is all by the power of and desire of God.
But why are there divisions in the church? Paul says in 1 Cor. 3:3 the members are carnal; worldly! 3 For ye are yet carnal: [worldly] [not spiritually minded] for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
The world is more full of Satan’s influence upon mankind and the influence is great. It is even among believers. The lies and deceit from Satan and his minions are influencing and causing hatred, envyings, strife, lies among men, power struggles, pride, etc. even among believers. Yes, it is among assemblies of congregations everywhere.
Man has a carnal mind. To be spiritual, he must transform his mind. Romans 12:1-3. 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Paul recognized the cause of division. It was a worldly mind; not the mind of God. This reconstruction of the thinking process requires a transformation of the mind. It requires knowledge of God and your diligent working at understanding the mysteries of the righteous Spirit world of God.
How can one overcome this problem and by whom can it be accomplished? Let us notice Chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians where Paul tells them of the Spirit mystery they are to imitate. It is with the power of the Spirit of God that man can transform their minds, not the wisdom of men.
Vss. 4-7. …my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
…‘them that are perfect’ are those who believe and are practicing their belief. The ‘princes of this world’ are Satan’s minions. Their wisdom is not sufficient to save a man from sin. It is filled with malice and deceit. Only the wisdom from God can save. Therefore, we must obtain the understanding of the Spiritual things of God.
Vss. 9-16. Paul explains the workings of the spirit realm, how it influences the proper thoughts and teachings for mankind.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us [all of us; every baptized believer who received the gift–Holy Spirit; not just the Apostles] by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
These Spiritual teachings are released from God to the Apostles first, then unto righteous men to share with those who shall believe and come to truth. Notice it was other men by whom some at Corinth were baptized; not just Apostles. Paul said fellow servants of God were teaching the power of God and the cross for salvation.
However, every assembly is filled with a full range of understandings from the new convert–ignorant of all Spiritual teachings–to more seasoned, yet shy of full understanding of Spiritual teachings. This is where worldly attitudes and conflicts from men who desire to be in charge and control cause division. The carnal mind is in the way. What was it Romans 12:3 said? I say to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly.
When a sinner believes, it is through his spirit (the man’s) that he has the capability to understand the Spirit of God teaching him. Illustration. When one computer speaks unto another, each has a processor speaking to each other. If the computer language of the one does not comprehend the other, no transaction takes place. If the spirit of man does not understand the language of the Spirit of God, it will not comprehend and thus not listen.
Now ! Cor. 3:1-23; the whole chapter. Paul has disclosed the reason for division. Now in this teaching, he will disclose how to overcome this adversity.
3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Every person within any assembly should put away carnal thoughts and divisive Satanic ways speaking unto one another in true Love, speaking as the oracles of God, allowing the Spirit realm of God to work its power in the spirit mind of man. It is from one Spirit unto another spirit that the language can be comprehended. Allow God to do his will upon the seeker of truth.
