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That scripture in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the subject of this thread.
Seems like so much dissension is caused by a lack of spiritual maturity. So few people are going to the effort to become a man and put away childish things. Paul told Timothy to "Lay hands suddenly on no man", which means pick someone who is mature, someone who is stable in scripture and faith.
Our society, and indeed the world, is not far behind, used to value the senior and his experience and knowledge/wisdom. The bible in many places does the same. We are urged to study to show ourselves approved unto God. Study isn't something you do in one reading session. It takes time.
There are a lot of youngsters, and I'm not talking about teenagers, that are but infants in the Lord. I know what it is because I too came from that position. I also had a hard time recognizing it. These folks would do well to study that subject. Learning isn't the same thing as knowledge and wisdom. Understanding doesn't only come by reading a book.
A lot of you young folks show a lot of disrespect for your elders. You are in need of milk, yet you feel compelled to attempt someone that is further along in the word than you are.
I don't know how many of you have thought of this in that light, but it is something that needs to be understood and addressed. There are a lot of things available to help. This is something that I would imagine almost every church has gone thru. It is difficult to instruct someone who knows it all. Indeed, it gets to the point where a sharp retort, rather than consider the source and heed it, is immediately attacked as being unchristian-like.
In fact, the bible tells us to do just that if necessary. Too many folks have been taught something and refuse to examine it by light of bible, or, just as bad, has read the bible, came to an erroneous conclusion, and refuse to take counsel on the proper meaning.
It is not a positive thing to be someone who can't take advice or correction. Ignoring God's word to try to make a point only makes you look bad. When I first got saved I read my bible 3 to 6 hours a day. I actually shut my shop down at noon and came home to read.(there was a reason for that but I won't get into it right now)
I did this for almost a year. After about a year and a half my dad told me that I knew more about the bible than the congregation that sat in the pews on sunday. I couldn't believe that and told him so. He insisted that it was true, and as it turns out, it was.
Most people go to church on sunday and that's the only time they crack open their bible. However, that did not mean that I had more understanding than all of them. I was aware of that tho. My dad and the elders I fellowshipped with demonstrated their sagacity to me and it took me a long time to speak up in discussions.
It is unfortunate that some folks don't have the same timidity.
There is no dishonor in recognizing that someone has more experience in areas than you do. There is much wisdom in the word and it is all meant for our edification and spiritual transformation and growth.
We are told that if we would judge ourselves we would have no need to be judged by others. Yet, so many people don't and then they get all out of sorts when someone does judge them.
Just something that, if heeded and understood, will make us a closer group.
Seems like so much dissension is caused by a lack of spiritual maturity. So few people are going to the effort to become a man and put away childish things. Paul told Timothy to "Lay hands suddenly on no man", which means pick someone who is mature, someone who is stable in scripture and faith.
Our society, and indeed the world, is not far behind, used to value the senior and his experience and knowledge/wisdom. The bible in many places does the same. We are urged to study to show ourselves approved unto God. Study isn't something you do in one reading session. It takes time.
There are a lot of youngsters, and I'm not talking about teenagers, that are but infants in the Lord. I know what it is because I too came from that position. I also had a hard time recognizing it. These folks would do well to study that subject. Learning isn't the same thing as knowledge and wisdom. Understanding doesn't only come by reading a book.
A lot of you young folks show a lot of disrespect for your elders. You are in need of milk, yet you feel compelled to attempt someone that is further along in the word than you are.
I don't know how many of you have thought of this in that light, but it is something that needs to be understood and addressed. There are a lot of things available to help. This is something that I would imagine almost every church has gone thru. It is difficult to instruct someone who knows it all. Indeed, it gets to the point where a sharp retort, rather than consider the source and heed it, is immediately attacked as being unchristian-like.
In fact, the bible tells us to do just that if necessary. Too many folks have been taught something and refuse to examine it by light of bible, or, just as bad, has read the bible, came to an erroneous conclusion, and refuse to take counsel on the proper meaning.
It is not a positive thing to be someone who can't take advice or correction. Ignoring God's word to try to make a point only makes you look bad. When I first got saved I read my bible 3 to 6 hours a day. I actually shut my shop down at noon and came home to read.(there was a reason for that but I won't get into it right now)
I did this for almost a year. After about a year and a half my dad told me that I knew more about the bible than the congregation that sat in the pews on sunday. I couldn't believe that and told him so. He insisted that it was true, and as it turns out, it was.
Most people go to church on sunday and that's the only time they crack open their bible. However, that did not mean that I had more understanding than all of them. I was aware of that tho. My dad and the elders I fellowshipped with demonstrated their sagacity to me and it took me a long time to speak up in discussions.
It is unfortunate that some folks don't have the same timidity.
There is no dishonor in recognizing that someone has more experience in areas than you do. There is much wisdom in the word and it is all meant for our edification and spiritual transformation and growth.
We are told that if we would judge ourselves we would have no need to be judged by others. Yet, so many people don't and then they get all out of sorts when someone does judge them.
Just something that, if heeded and understood, will make us a closer group.