Scripture:
“When one of you has a grievance against another does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more then matters pertaining to this life!!
So—if you have such cases why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the (local) church? I say this to your shame.
Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers—but brother goes to law against brother and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers.” 1 Cor 6:1-8
Observation:
In this section of scripture Paul is not exactly giving direction on WHAT to do/WHAT NOT to do but to lament concerning the Believer’s lack of Biblical/Disciple perspectives—not am I “competent” but am I “wise and mature in Christ?”
Application:
The above is pertinent for Conflict Resolution. But even this statement is not the focus of what Paul is saying concerning root cause. The root cause may be (most times) the Man in the Mirror.
How many times have I jumped into a discussion of any kind and exerted my “opinion, comments, experience, etc.” with an air of competency and authority only to exercise un-wise behavior and influence? I can say candidly quite a bit over my life so far.
My worse situation is success in the face of incompetent wisdom.
A thought that just bubbled up is that I have forgotten the Fear of God. David writes: “The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” (Ps 111) Why have I forgotten to fear God?
I can get all bound up in celebrating Grace and the Love of God that I forget He is still GOD. I cannot approach God on my own; I must have the representation of the Blood of the Lamb to approach the Throne—and even then scripture indicates I will fall on my face, throw the symbols of my so-called success (my crowns) at the foot of the Throne.
The Scriptures do not separate the Fear of God from Celebrating/Praise of God as a conflict. I make it a conflict in favor of God’s Love because I cannot imagine fearing someone that says He loves me. Fear is bad, Love is good. But in doing this I am selfishly defining God in a picture I can deal with—that is, making an idol.
James says: “Not many of you should become teachers…for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) Can this principle be applied to what Paul writes about in 1 Cor 6? Could be—it is not that great a stretch—but it isn’t the avoidance of wise responsibility that is the issue, it is the conscientious pursuit of becoming wise in the Fear of God that I am called to.
That’s what a disciple does—pursues God.
Prayer:
Lord God, why do I revert to my own wisdom so easily; that wisdom that is earthy, bound up in my own desires and ideas? Why doesn’t my mind pop up with Your Word more often, including doctrine, principles, precepts, and etc.? In my case the answer is easy: I am lazy. This laziness shows how much I revere You O God and revere your Word—which isn’t much. Like the other day in 1 Cor 3 I am too satisfied with milk. Wean me off milk, O Holy Spirit, and help my love for Your Word grow. AMEN.