Paul clearly saw the problem with pride. (1 Corinthians 1-7)

1:17

Wise men often love the sound of their voice. They can be so clever with their arguments. They can be successful in temporarily converting others to their cause. Paul took a different approach. "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." Our missionaries are not sent out to convince others to be baptized. The mission is to bring souls to Christ. Period. Unifying with the church is part of that but their conversion needs to be to Jesus.

The wisdom of words might convince the mind of someone - but it will never change a heart. The focus should never be a compelling argument. The atonement of Jesus Christ is what saves us. It is not the sentences that we are able to creatively put together.

Eric's words don't save anyone. Only Christ can save. If how we're preaching is taking the focus off of Christ and on any other principle or doctrine, we are doing it wrong.

1:21-24, 27

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." The gospel is NOT based in the wisdom of the world. Thank goodness!

The "wisdom" of the world is constantly changing. The world's experts are often proven wrong. More and more, this world will consider the gospel of Jesus Christ "foolishness." The gospel isn't about science or public opinion. It is based on principles that are unprovable. If there was actual, scientific, undeniable proof that God exists and this is what the plan of salvation is - how would this world be that much different than the premortal world - when we were in the presence of God? This world is meant to be a place where faith is exercised. Thank goodness again! If we all had knowledge but were walking around in these sin-ridden bodies, most of us would fail miserably. We would be too accountable and too weak. We were meant to be in the presence of God and learn from him in the spirit world - where we weren't tempted and distracted by these bodies of ours. Now that we are here in our bodies, we aren't in the presence of God - by design. When we are finally in our bodies in the presence of God, we will be fully trained to handle the responsibility.

In Paul's time, the Jewish people couldn't handle the truth of Jesus Christ crucified because their own history and biases. They stumbled over the concept of Jesus because it didn't match their preconceived understanding of what the Messiah would be.

The Greeks had no such stumbling block but they relied on their limited understanding. They were in search of wisdom that matched up with their previously built wisdom. This too became a problem for their accepting Jesus Christ.

Preconceived bias and over reliance on our own wisdom are two barriers to accepting Jesus as our Savior.

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1:28

"And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." God is NOT searching the world for the great and famous people to be chosen as his representatives. Why? I think it's because the proud of the world wouldn't be able to appropriately represent Jesus while maintaining humility.

Imagine a famous rock star suddenly chosen to be a mouthpiece for God. I think it would be impossibly hard for a prideful person to not be proud. Instead, the Lord chooses the meek and lowly to work with. He chooses men and women who don't feel worthy. Those are exactly the type of people who would give credit to the Lord rather than aspire to positions of power and authority.

2:4-5

What truly converts? It is not a clever argument. "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Preaching the Lord's gospel shouldn't be about "enticing words." CONVINCING someone isn't the same as someone CONVERTED.

Again, it is the Spirit and power of God that converts. It is the Spirit that:

• Soften hearts.

• Energizes minds.

• Strengthens souls.

Nothing we say can have the same effect.

That's not to say that our conversations with each other don't matter. They do! Words are important. Words are how the world was created. Words are how the commandments are given. Words are how the scriptures are written. Our conversations with each other matter. But, our words should envoke the Spirit. Our words can't do the work of conversion. All our words can do is invite the Spirit. We should do what we can to bring the Spirit into a conversation and then get out of the way.

2:14

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Someone who cannot see with spiritual eyes will never be able to discern spiritual principles. Have you ever attempted to talk about something spiritual with someone who has no interest and thinks religion is for suckers? I have and it's like I'm speaking another language. They can't see my point or hear my words. I can hear their thoughts saying, "this guy is a fool."

3:16-17

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." It is helpful that we consider ourselves temples of God. It is healthy to think of how the Spirit of God can dwell within us. We are special. We are divine.

We are different than plants and animals. We are not just creatures acting on instinct. We are more. We can literally be a dwelling place for a member of the Godhead. That's pretty cool. I think that, if every human considered themselves as God's temples, there would be a lot less sin and horrible behavior in the world.

4:1-2

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." Are we stewards of the mysteries of God? If you're reading this, you likely are. What are the mysteries? Mysteries are not speculation. They are revealed truths.

For some, this is a personal revelation. For others, the mysteries of God can be understood through careful reading of the scriptures. Modern prophets have revealed many "mysteries of God."

To me, they are not incomprehensible, unknowable principles. In fact, they are generally basic, foundational principles. For example, I consider these to be some mysteries of God:

• The purpose of this mortal life.

• Our potential to progress through the plan of salvation.

• Our understanding of the premortal and spirit world.

• God's physical body.

• We have heavenly parents. Man and woman are paired in the act of creating universes and spirit children.

• How justice and grace relate to each other.

There are a long list of basic principles that are foundational to our understanding of who we are, what we are doing here and what we can become. If we discuss these topics with those who aren't members of the church, these topics are generally unconsidered. In fact, many basic questions like this aren't well understood by members of the church. It is possible to grow up in the church, hearing these truths, but not understand them to a significant degree. I myself consider my understanding to be just beginning.

I do understand some mysteries that I do not talk about often. I think some truths need to be discovered through personal study and revelation from God. There are truths that can't be taught in a lesson. They have to be spoken to your spirit through the Spirit. A person cannot convince another person through words to accept the mysteries of God. They must be understood through revelation. Working for this revelation is a strengthening process that allows the learner to be better able to live up to the knowledge.

If we do understand many mysteries of God, there is a responsibility that goes along with that. Our understanding should drive action. With understanding, our perspective shifts and we behave differently. As we understand mysteries, our love for God grows, we grasp the plan of salvation and see each other as brothers and sisters of the same heavenly parent. This drives us to gather Israel by helping each other take steps towards God.

4:3

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self." Paul did not care if he was judged by other humans. He didn't care what the crowd's opinion was. Peer pressure wasn't a factor in Paul's life. He didn't judge others either.

What's interesting here is that, the same way he doesn't judge others, he doesn't judge himself. Often, we humans can be our own worst critic. We can be harder on ourselves than we would a friend or stranger. We aren't good judges of any person, including ourselves. Only God can judge us fairly. Our own vision, even of ourselves, is colored by biases built over the course of our life.

So, while we are not judging others, let's not judge ourselves either.

4:7

Pride is a problem. Even as we progress in the gospel, we may actually have pride for how awesome we are in the gospel! Paul addresses this. "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" If we are wise as to gospel topics, we shouldn't see ourselves as the originator of that wisdom. That wisdom was given to us by our Creator. We should not glory in ourselves as accomplished saints when our accomplishment was given as a gift. If someone gives me a car, I don't brag about building the car! It was given to me and I should simply use it, enjoy it, and be grateful for it - giving glory to the giver of the gift. Receiving gifts isn't the same as creating gifts.

4:20

"But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." This is a great scripture! Some of us are given a gift of being able to speak. We can convince groups of people at one time. We can inspire and motivate - for a minute.

Our delicious delivery of principles from a pulpit aren't going to change a single heart. It is through the power of the Holy Ghost that hearts and minds are changed. Sumptious soliloquy will not heal a sick person. It is the priesthood of God. Delivering speeches isn't the same as blessing others through the power of God.

It's possible for a grand speaker to go home and commit sin after sin. The words alone coming from our mouth are like vapor if they aren't connected to the Spirit. The kingdom of God is not built on grand speech. The kingdom is based on power. That power only comes from God - not someone's mouth.

4:21

"What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?" I read this yesterday morning before I went into train a group that hadn't been following directions on their photography assignments. I was bothered and angry. I was ready to really call them on the carpet.

Luckily I read this in the minutes before I left. It motivated me to put down the rod that I had in my hand and, instead, choose a meeker approach in the spirit of love.

The softer approach worked well. Thanks Paul.

5:6

"Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" Here, glorying means "boasting." Essentially, Paul is saying that a little bit of pride can really affect someone's whole soul. Why though?

How dangerous is pride? Well...pride can lead to a whole host of serious problems. Pride will:

• Allow me to be offended by a church leader.

• Judge those who aren't as spiritually strong as me.

• Convince me that I don't need to study as much because my gospel knowledge is so good.

• Allow me to place my own desires over any "rules" that the church puts forward.

• Prevent me from submitting to God's will.

• Encourage me to leave the church when I discover some fact or event in this church's history that I find disturbing.

• Convince me that I don't need to be any more righteous considering I'm more righteous than my neighbors.

• Taint my vision about my spouse's faults and my own perfection.

• Want me to get even when someone takes advantage of me.

• Encourage me to criticize church leaders when they say something that I don't understand or agree with.

It is pride that leads to most member's apostasy. Putting ourselves above the church or God's will is where pride leads. Pride halts our progression. Pride makes us compare rather than succor. Pride is bad.

A little pride can lead to a lot of pride. Truly, we need to beware of pride.

5:9-11

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." The problem isn't associating with others who have issues. The problem is associating with those who feign belief but are hypocrites. It's not the people outside of the church that have different morals or values - it's the people inside of the church that supposedly have our same standards but openly (or secretly) violate them. These are the folks that can taint and twist things from inside quorums and congregations.

Being around sinners isn't the problem. Hypocrisy is the problem. If a non-golfer attempts to teach me how to swing a golf club, that instruction isn't going to make it past my ears. But, if someone claims to be a golf pro, I'll take what they say as truth and attempt to apply it. This is the danger of a church member who claims to be faithful but isn't.

I know I'm sounding a little harsh or bad or unchristlike here. I certainly don't mean that we should succor and support those who are caught in the grip of sin. That is what Christ has commanded us to do. We should help who needs help. Hypocrites don't ask for or want help. To them, they are not in need of our succor.

6:17-20, 13

This is an interesting thought about fornication. "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." Most sins are pointing outward. We are doing others harm.

Fornication is a little different. It taints our understanding about what our body is for. In verse 13, we read, "Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body." Our bodies are vehicles for maneuvering through this life and building our faith in Jesus Christ. Our bodies allow us to experience pain and suffering to help us have empathy for each other and our future spirit children. Our bodies allow us to progress to become more like God.

When we see our bodies as vehicles to find pleasure, we have derailed the potential good that comes from owning a body. Our bodies help us be like Christ. If we see the purpose for our bodies as coming to Christ, we will use these bodies to serve, study, work, teach, love. To see the prime purpose for our bodies as having sex truly denies so much growth that can come.

Our bodies are temples of the Lord's Spirit and should be treated with respect. We need to see our bodies as opportunities to exercise agency and submit to God's will. We are not independent creatures. We are bought with a price and should act like it.

7:14, 16

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." I like to consider this verse in the frame where both husband and wife are members of the church. I think that these pairings are essential to our progression. Sometimes, we are weak. Sometimes, we are strong. When you are married to someone, usually those times of weakness and strength are not synced. In other words, the husband may be weak when the wife is strong and vice versa.

This may be a matter of timing or it might be a matter of varying gifts. It is likely that the husband and wife have differing spiritual gifts. Where I am weak, Marci is strong. Where Marci is weak (hypothetically) I am strong. We balance each other and, over a course of a marriage, we sanctify each other.

The odds of both continuing their progress through all of mortality increase. "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"

7:29-31

"But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." These are tricky verses to understand how they are written. It doesn't appear to make sense.

The point of these three verses is to make the point that all of the temporal things that happen to us in this life will pass away. Pauls starts out, "the time is short." Our reasons for weeping and rejoicing in this world will pass away and doesn't mean much when the world ends. Our job promotions or athletic achievements or various disappointments won't mean much in the eternal scope of things. Our possessions are only ours for a very short time. We shouldn't consider them of much value.

We are in this world but, with the right perspective, we won't be overly swayed with rejoicing or mourning over things that aren't eternally significant. Every one of us can get overly wrapped up in our day to day ups and downs of mortality. It doesn't need to be so dramatic. We can live in peace and joy knowing that we are on the covenant path and we know where that path leads.