1 Corinthians 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Do we agree with everything we hear from our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Considering that we have different gifts, different upbringings, different educations, and different personalities, it seems unreasonable to agree with everyone. Consider his next words carefully.
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
Someone within this new church has reported back to Paul on things that were troubling to them. Considering this is a new church it is reasonable to believe they are still trying to find their footing having been established by Paul and visited by Apollos and Cephas. This is not to say that any of their teaching differed from what Jesus taught.
Some people are drawn to personalities. It is style over substance in some cases. We tend to listen more closely to those who have personalities which we enjoy. We might even accept what is being said without listening to the undertones of a message.
Spiritual undertones are received in the inner being by the spirit. If we are being cerebral we might not be listening with our spiritual ears. The mind processes, reasons, judges, and analyzes to satisfy the soul. We all have to live with ourselves.
But the inner being has to be fed spiritual food and is not subject to the thoughts of the flesh. It recognizes the truth because that is where Truth abides.
We cannot expect babes in Christ to understand that and we have to allow a little bit of harmless context to be spoken without jumping on it as erroneous and dangerous. They will find their speech changes as they mature. We know this because we lived through those years ourselves.
There are essential truths that must be taught correctly. If we hinder free speech in what they understand, we will never learn how effective our teaching methods are in discipleship. We must demonstrate what has to be agreed upon and that which allows some latitude of understanding without harm.
The Holy Spirit will correct errors as they are needed to be corrected.
Be gracious in speech to our little ones, no matter how old they are.