A Prayer for Discernment and Righteous Living
"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." - 1 Corinthians 5:11
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with humble hearts, acknowledging the wisdom of Your Word, particularly the guidance found in 1 Corinthians 5:11, which instructs us, "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." Lord, we understand that You desire for us to live lives that are set apart, reflecting Your holiness in a world filled with temptation and sin.
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of Your Scripture, which serves not only as a guide but as a mirror, revealing our own hearts and the hearts of others. Help us to understand the seriousness of the call to separate ourselves from those who choose to live contrary to Your ways. May we not be quick to judge, but instead, let us look within and ensure that our own lives align with the truth of Your Word.
Father, we recognize that those who claim to be our brothers and sisters in Christ, yet walk in ways of fornication, covetousness, idolatry, railing, drunkenness, or extortion are a source of confusion and compromise in our faith communities. Lord, give us the wisdom to discern between those who genuinely struggle and seek Your presence and those who willfully persist in sin without repentance. Help us to stand firm in our convictions while extending grace to those who genuinely seek restoration.
O Lord, it is hard to distance ourselves from those we love, and it is painful to make decisions that might hurt our relationships. Yet, we know that true love is not simply approval but affirmation of righteousness. Teach us to love as You love, which involves holding one another accountable and encouraging one another towards holiness. Let our desire for community never lead us to sacrifice our witness or compromise our values.
Father, help us to create environments where righteousness flourishes and sin is confronted in love. Grant us the courage to speak up when we see our brothers and sisters straying from the truth. May we gently correct those who are caught in sin, remembering that we, too, are susceptible to temptation. Instill in us a deep sensitivity to Your Spirit that leads us to act in accordance with Your will.
Lord, we confess that sometimes we find ourselves in the company of those who do not reflect Your character. We may fear loss of friendship or fellowship, but remind us, O God, that it is better to be alone in Your company than surrounded by those who lead us away from You. Instruct us on the paths we should walk, and help us to seek companions who fortify our faith and challenge us to grow in our relationship with You.
God, as we navigate these challenging situations, empower us with discernment to know when to step away and when to stand firm. Let our actions reflect not only our judgment but also Your love. We ask for a heart that finds joy in fellowship with those who seek to honor You above all else. May we be encouraged by their faith and motivated to deepen our own commitment to living a life that is pleasing to You.
Finally, Lord, we lift up those who may be caught in the very actions you describe in Your Word. We pray for their healing, their restoration, and their return to the path of righteousness. May they find hope in Your forgiveness and strength in Your grace. Use us as instruments of Your peace to lead them back to You.
In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen.
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1 Corinthians 5:11 - "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."
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
"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." - 1 Corinthians 5:11
1 Corinthians 11:5 - "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."
2 Corinthians 11:5 - "For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles."
1 Corinthians 11:8 - "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man."
1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:11 - "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:8-11
1 Corinthians 11:26-29
1 Corinthians 11:26-29
1 Corinthians 12:5 - "And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:5 - "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:"
1 Corinthians 11:9 - "Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."
1 Corinthians 1:5 - "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;"
1 Corinthians 11:31 - "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."
1 Corinthians 5:5 - "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
2 Corinthians 5:11 - "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."
1 Corinthians 11:30 - "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
1 Corinthians 5:9 - "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:"
1 Corinthians 11:13 - "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?"
1 Corinthians 11:10 - "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."
1 Corinthians 2:5 - "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
1 Corinthians 10:5 - "But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."
1 Corinthians 11:20 - "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper."
1 Corinthians 1:11 - "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you."
"For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles." - 2 Corinthians 11:5
1 Corinthians 11:32 - "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."