“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1 ESV).
After contrasting the difference between the “natural man” and the “spiritual man” in chapter two, Paul addressed a troubling third spiritual condition, the “carnal man” (“fleshly”). This person has received Christ as Savior (note Paul’s use of “brothers”), yet doesn’t yield to Him as Lord. Their behavior resembles that of the unbeliever. They do not desire to dig into the Word of God to be fed with meat, but want someone to bottle-feed them with milk. They are divisive, jealous, and immature. Paul couldn’t speak to them as mature, Spirit-led believers because they were still living according to their flesh. This is a miserable place to be spiritually—knowing the Lord, yet not fully surrendered to Him. Paul was calling them out, urging them to stop being spiritual babies and grow up into the fullness of Christ.
We must examine our own lives: Are we growing up in Christ, or remaining spiritual infants? Do we hunger to grow deeper in God’s Word, or are we seeking satisfaction with worldly things? Like the Corinthians, we may find ourselves drifting into carnality, not because we’ve rejected Christ, but because we haven’t fully surrendered to His Spirit. The marks of spiritual infancy—envy, strife, and division—are signs that we are not walking in step with the Spirit. Let us not settle for immaturity, but press on to maturity. Let’s put away childish ways and desire the meat of God’s Word. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it requires intentional surrender, regular intake of Scripture, and obedience to the Spirit’s leading. We must grow up in Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have acted like spiritual infants. We don’t want to remain in immaturity, content with spiritual milk while ignoring the deeper riches of Your Word. Teach us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help us grow into mature disciples who reflect Christ in every way. In Jesus’ name, amen.