Influencers - Day 08
Day 08 - Wednesday August, 23
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Highlight
Paul summarizes his argument in verses 18-20, but it is hard to understand what he is saying if we don’t understand the full context. In this section of Chapter 6, Paul has been quoting Corinthian maxims. “Everything is permissible to me” is one we are sure of and thus the English translation puts it in quotation marks. Biblical scholars think that the line “all sins a man commits are outside the body” is another Corinthian phrase that is wrong and Paul is responding to it. In this way, Paul isn’t actually saying that sexual sin is completely unique from all other sin, he’s just emphasizing that sexual sin absolutely does affect the human body.
The Corinthian maxim reflects a worldly belief that affects us today: it’s just physical. This has been said about sexual acts for thousands of years in an attempt to downplay the seriousness of sexual immorality. However, Paul highlights the fact that there is no distinguishing the physical from the mental or spiritual in the Christian worldview. God has a high view of the human body, not only because it will be resurrected some day just like Jesus’ body was, but also because the Holy Spirit inhabits our bodies. If our bodies were somehow filthy or worthless, God’s Spirit would not have taken up residence within! Our souls AND bodies were bought at a price - we should leverage that high value to honor God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Highlight
Paul summarizes his argument in verses 18-20, but it is hard to understand what he is saying if we don’t understand the full context. In this section of Chapter 6, Paul has been quoting Corinthian maxims. “Everything is permissible to me” is one we are sure of and thus the English translation puts it in quotation marks. Biblical scholars think that the line “all sins a man commits are outside the body” is another Corinthian phrase that is wrong and Paul is responding to it. In this way, Paul isn’t actually saying that sexual sin is completely unique from all other sin, he’s just emphasizing that sexual sin absolutely does affect the human body.
The Corinthian maxim reflects a worldly belief that affects us today: it’s just physical. This has been said about sexual acts for thousands of years in an attempt to downplay the seriousness of sexual immorality. However, Paul highlights the fact that there is no distinguishing the physical from the mental or spiritual in the Christian worldview. God has a high view of the human body, not only because it will be resurrected some day just like Jesus’ body was, but also because the Holy Spirit inhabits our bodies. If our bodies were somehow filthy or worthless, God’s Spirit would not have taken up residence within! Our souls AND bodies were bought at a price - we should leverage that high value to honor God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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