It is very difficult to look inward and be honest with yourself. Unfortunately, too often we like to believe what we want, to see the best in ourselves, and we miss what is clearly right smack dab in the middle. We may think our heart is in the right place. We may cling to our title as Christian. However, we find that we aren’t necessarily people who are spiritually mature despite years of being a Christian. In 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3-4 we read: “Brothers and sisters, when I was with you I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. And because you are immature infants in Christ… for you are living your lives dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. Ask yourselves: Is there jealousy among you? Do you compare yourselves with others? Do you quarrel like children and end up taking sides? If so, this proves that you are living your lives centered on yourselves, dominated by the mind-set of the flesh, and behaving like unbelievers. For when you divide yourselves up in groups—a “Paul group” and an “Apollos group”—you’re acting like people without the Spirit’s influence” (TPT).
This passage is describing too many of us who are not yet ready for the spiritual meat because we are centered on ourselves. We allow the flesh to lead us. We get jealous. We make comparisons with others and get envious. We even pick sides and fight with people. We make it us versus them rather than the unity God desires. If people would look at us, they would not even know that we are Christ followers because our outward appearance doesn’t look very Christ-like. We look like people acting without the Spirit’s influence because we have drowned out the Spirit’s leading so we can journey our own way. We like the sound of our own voices. For some of us, we have shortcomings from time to time. For others, we are following the flesh more than God. This is the life dominated by the flesh.
Today, consider your actions of this past week. Did you find yourself being jealous, angry, or bitter this week? Did you find yourself gossiping? Did you find yourself making quick judgments about other people? Were you able to spend time with God daily? Would an onlooker see you acting in love? These are just some questions to chew upon. Ask the Spirit to help open your eyes to areas of your life that need a bit less you. Take the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Personal Assessment (https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/mature/) to see your emotional health. Pray for ways you can step aside for the Spirit to lead the way.
Thank You for the Helper. Lord, I ask that you open my eyes to see where I am too me-focused. Heavenly Father, I ask that you give me a heart for Your people. Lord, help me to discover solutions for areas in my life where I am dominated by the flesh. Have Your way in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Tania Gutekunst 