Christian Feeding Instructions- 1 Cor 3:1-3

 Struggling Through Determining Correct Feeding!

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1 Corinthians 3:1-3 1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? KJV

Choosing Correct Foods

Throughout the Bible, we find examples of people being guided as to what to say to certain people at certain times. Frequently, I pray for God to help me not say the wrong thing to the wrong people, and if I make a mistake for Him to please wipe it from their mind and cast it into the sea of forgetfulness.  This post has some examples of people throughout the Bible who were guided to give people "milk" rather than "meat".

The Lord Decides Abrahan is Ready for Meat

In Genesis 18 when the Lord appears to Abraham with two other heavenly visitors at Mamre, God sees that Abraham is ready for meat.

16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

22And the men turned their faces from thence and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

I find it interesting that God asks himself if He should share a hard piece of news with Abraham, in otherwise - meat. How does He decide to share this meat with Abraham? He reasons that  He knows where  Abraham's future path will lead him. Sometimes, the meatier teachings are necessary for our future path, to equip us for what God has planned for us. 

Micah Tries Not to Share A Meaty Teaching

Throughout the Bible, messengers, or prophets have very difficult paths. It is rare for people in power to welcome meat. They usually refer to "yes Men" who tickle their ears and give them milk. This is what we find in  2 Chronicles 22:13-28. The king of Israel seeks a word from God about the success of a coming Bible from Micah the prophet. When Micah initially gives him a positive report, the king can see right through it and demands that Micha tell him what the true prophesy is for the battle, Then when Micah shares this meaty bit of prophecy instead of milk, the king gets angry and demands Micah be thrown into prison. No it is not always easy to share meaty words even when someone demands it.

We find this happens still today, in many governments. On the other hand, truly wise rulers will listen to the meaty word and use this warning constructively. 

Rulers Who Were Ready for Meat

Two rulers that spring to mind, who harkened to meaty information were the Pharoh in Egypt at the time of Joseph. When Joseph interpreted the Pharoh's dream, the Pharoh welcomed the warning God was giving him through the interpretation that God gave to Joseph. It allowed his country to thrive during the coming famine.

Likewise, the ruler of Ninevah, listened to the meat that Jonah brought to him, and the way he lead his people in repentance touched God's heart and the people were saved.

Determining What to Share with Whom

Giving meatier teachings to new people unacquainted with the unique love of God can cause more harm than good. 

In several places in the Bible, we find God speaking out against shepherds who deal harshly with the flocks. and drive them away, so they fall prey to wolves. Some Christians may need to be milk-fed their entire walk. I believe that when it comes to delivering a heartier meat meal, it is best left in God's hands unless, like Jonah, we are called to deliver a harsh word.

My heart always turns to these words of Christ :

• "Love your neighbour as yourself."
• "Take the log out of your own eye before attempting to take the speck from your brother's eye."

And finally,

• "I did not come into the world to condemn it but to save it" John 3:17

If Christ did not come into the world to condemn it, who do we think we are to deliver a harsh message to anyone?

May Our Father Bless each of us with the wisdom He gave Solomon in deciding what message to share with others.

Have a Blessed Day,

Su