The Measure of Spiritual Maturity (Part 1)

In chapter two of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul clearly distinguishes between those who are saved and those who are unsaved. As he begins chapter three, Paul shifts gears to compare the difference between immature and mature believers. All believers battle two enemies in their Christian walk: the world outside of them and the fleshly nature within them. In the first four verses of chapter three, we see three characteristics that clearly define a spiritually immature believer: 1) they cannot handle the "meat" of Scripture and are still surviving on "milk"; 2) their lives and relationships are marked by jealousy, strife and division; and 3) they continually compare themselves to other believers to build themselves up in pride. Just like the Corinthians, who thought they were mature and proclaimed their own maturity and wisdom, many Christians today continue to remain in spiritual immaturity, being defined by these same characteristics.