Kenneth Copeland Ministries: Pursuit Of His PresenceSample

Strife Will Keep You Carnal

by Gloria Copeland

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

It’s bad enough that strife opens the door of our lives to confusion and every evil work (James 3:14-16). That alone should make us resist it with all our might. But that’s not all the Bible has to say about it.

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul gave us even more information about the damaging effects of strife. He wrote:

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

Carnal Christians are miserable people. They’re born again and they know enough about God not to enjoy sin, but they aren’t committed enough to stay out of sin.

If you don’t want to find yourself trapped in that condition (and I know you don’t) then stay out of strife, because strife will keep you carnal! It will inhibit your ability to digest the meat of the Word, and without that meat you won’t be able to grow into a strong, victorious Christian. If you fuss and bicker with others, your spiritual growth will be stunted. You’ll remain in a perpetual state of spiritual infancy and the devil will run over you regularly!

So grow up. Don’t stay a baby. Get out of strife and into the Word. Soon you’ll be the overcomer the Word says you are!

Speak the Word

“I walk in love and grow up in every way and in all things.” —Ephesians 4:15, The Amplified Bible

Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!

Also, visit www.kcm.org/youversion to receive a free gift from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland.