Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Bible Study, God's Peace

102 | How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When Culture Presses In: First Corinthians (Bible Study)

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

Share episode

Find the full episode here >>> PaulaBehrens.com/blog

Looking around at your church family and thinking "this is messy" might leave you feeling discouraged—but take heart. The believers in ancient Corinth faced remarkably similar challenges to those we encounter today, from church divisions to moral confusion to the struggle of living distinctively in a complex culture.

The Book of 1 Corinthians provides a roadmap for navigating these challenges with Christ at the center. Paul's letter addresses practical issues that resonate with modern believers: How do we maintain unity when opinions differ? How do we exercise our freedom without harming others? How do we stand firm in biblical truth while showing Christ's love? At every turn, Paul directs the Corinthians back to the cross, emphasizing that true wisdom is found not in human eloquence but in Christ crucified.

What makes this ancient letter so powerful is its gracious approach to growth. Paul begins by thanking God for the grace given to this imperfect community—celebrating their progress while addressing their problems. This reminds us that spiritual growth is a process. Whether you're struggling with consistency in your devotional life, wrestling with how to respond to cultural shifts, or seeking to bring Christ into your everyday decisions, Paul's wisdom offers both challenge and comfort. His words on Christian freedom, love as the greatest measure, and the hope of resurrection provide timeless guidance for living purposefully in Christ. Ready to reset your spiritual rhythm with peace and purpose? Book your Aroma of Christ coaching session today and discover practical ways to keep Christ at the center of your life.

Send us a text

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

Christian Coaching > PaulaBehrens.com/coaching

Become an Insider > bit.ly/insiderfamily

Join the Community >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/faithcollective

Essential Oil Favorites > WhyEssentialOils.com

Printable Bible Study for Women >>> PaulaBehrens.com/members

Get a copy > A New Heaven and New Earth: The Book of Revelation Revisited >>> https://amzn.to/3xRp0DI

Paula Behrens:

Have you ever looked around at your church family and thought this is messy? Or have you ever wondered how to live for Christ in a culture that pulls you in a dozen different directions at once? Or maybe you've wrestled with how to bring Jesus into the very center of your daily life, not just into Sunday mornings, but into your relationships, your decisions and your sense of identity? If those questions sound familiar, you're not alone. The believers in Corinth were asking the very same kinds of questions, and we'll get to all of that real soon. But first funny story.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

Hey friend, are you curious about what actually happens in the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour? Let me walk you through it. First, we'll talk about your current routine what's working, what's not, and where you feel stuck or dry. Then we'll walk through your spiritual goals, whether that's deeper intimacy with God, more peace, or simply knowing how to stay consistent. Together, we'll find a rhythm that aligns with your current stage of life, all while using essential oils to enrich your sense of stability, reduce stress and deepen your connection with the Lord. You'll leave with a custom devotional plan, simple next steps and a fresh wind in your spirit. Everything we do is led by the Spirit and grounded in grace, not guilt. So head on over to paulabehrens. com/ coaching and book your session. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). It's time to bring beauty and balance back into your quiet time.

Paula Behrens:

Before we get started, I'd like to give a shout out to Carrie Allemeersch. She writes, "Thank you, Paula, for your insights on spiritual and emotional health and healing. You have a wonderful way of sharing deep truths with an openness and clarity that makes it easy to listen and understand." Well, thank you so much, Carrie. It's always good to hear from a fellow podcaster. If you'd like to leave a review on Apple Podcasts, it's easier than you might think. Just head on over to the podcast page, scroll down to the ratings and review section and share your thoughts. Not only does your feedback help others discover our show, but your review could also be showcased on one of our upcoming episodes. All right, let's get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

The book of 1 Corinthians is one of the most practical and heartfelt letters in the New Testament. It's both deeply corrective and deeply encouraging. Paul writes to a church full of potential but also full of problems. They were believers in Christ, but they were still living with a lot of worldly baggage. They were torn by divisions, puffed up with pride, confused about morality and struggling to understand what it really means to live under the Lordship of Jesus. And yet Paul didn't give up on them. Instead, he reminded them, and reminds us, that the answer to every problem, every question and every challenge is to live with Christ at the center. As we walk through this letter together, we'll discover Paul's understanding on various topics such as unity within the church, marriage and singleness, spiritual gifts and even the resurrection of the dead. We'll also discover that at every turn, Paul isn't focused on quick solutions, but rather on guiding people back to the gospel. He consistently directs them to the cross, emphasizes the wisdom of God that may seem foolish to the world, and highlights the love that unites the entire body of Christ.

Paula Behrens:

Paul begins his letter with gratitude. Despite all the issues in Corinth, he thanks God for the grace given to them and for the gifts that they have received in Christ. That's remarkable. It's like looking at a child learning to walk, stumbling, wobbling, sometimes falling flat, but still celebrating the fact that they are learning. For Christians today, this is very freeing. Even when your faith walk feels unsteady, God celebrates that you're still walking with him. Maybe you've had sessions where your devotional time slipped, or you said something harsh to your kids or grandkids, or you doubted your ability to lead a Bible study. Paul reminds us that God's grace is still present.

Paula Behrens:

Paul does not ignore the hard stuff either. He immediately addresses division in the church. The Corinthians were rallying around different leaders Paul, Apollos, Cephas and it was splintering their fellowship, and he points them back to the cross, saying that the church is not built on personalities but on Christ crucified. Think of how relevant this is today. Many Christians have experienced church hurt when leaders fall short or cliques form. Maybe you've seen friends drift because of conflicts over worship style or you felt caught between cultural pressures and biblical convictions. Paul's reminder is this, it's not about who leads the Bible study or which preacher sounds more eloquent, or what programs are in place. The foundation is Christ alone. Paul then contrasts worldly wisdom with God's wisdom. The Corinthians were drawn to flashy speech and clever arguments, but Paul says I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. In modern terms, it's like saying don't get caught up in following influencers who seem polished or books that sound wise, but leave Christ out, the true power lies in the simple message of the cross. What changes lives is not human brilliance but the Spirit of God making Jesus known.

Paula Behrens:

Paul also addresses personal morality, lawsuits and marriage. Each time, his principle is clear. You were bought with a price, therefore, honor God with your body. Imagine how that applies today. Maybe you are discerning how to use social media wisely, or how to maintain integrity in your workplace, or how to honor God in your singleness or marriage. Paul's point is that every part of your life, your body, your time, your choices, belongs to Christ. That means your faith is not just something you tuck into Sunday morning. It's something that shapes how you speak to your teenager, how you manage your finances, how you treat your spouse and how you carry yourself when no one is watching.

Paula Behrens:

One of the most practical areas Paul addresses is Christian freedom. In Corinth, believers argued over whether it was okay to eat meat that had been offered to idols. Paul's answer is wise. He says yes, you have freedom in Christ, but your freedom should never come at the expense of love. Think about how this might play out today. You might feel free to enjoy, maybe, a glass of wine, but you refrain when you're with a sister in Christ who struggles with alcohol. You may feel free to watch a certain show, but you choose not to because you know it could cause someone else to stumble. Our choices are not just about what we can do, but about how our actions affect others in the body of Christ. Love always comes first.

Paula Behrens:

Then Paul turns to worship, and here we find one of the most famous passages in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. We often hear it read at weddings, but Paul originally wrote it to a divided church family. Think about that. He reminds them that spiritual gifts, knowledge and even faith mean nothing without love. For us as Christians, this is the call to slow down and ask, am I doing this out of love? Whether you're leading worship, teaching Sunday school, volunteering at a food pantry or simply listening to a friend pour out her heart, love is a measure of whether Christ is truly at the center. Love is patient when your child tests your limits. Love is kind when your co-worker gets under your skin. Love keeps no record of wrongs when your spouse or friend falls short. This is what makes the church shine in a dark world.

Paula Behrens:

Then the high point of the letter is chapter 15, where Paul tackles doubts about the Resurrection. He declares boldly that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless. But Christ has indeed been raised. This is where we, as believers, can anchor our hope. When you've stood at the graveside of a loved one, when you felt the weight of grief, when you've wondered what the future holds for your children or grandchildren, Paul's words remind you that death is not the end. Because Christ was raised, we too will be raised. That means your faith is not just about surviving this life, it's about preparing for eternity. Paul closes the letter with practical reminders, saying stand firm, give generously and do everything in love. Those closing words are just as powerful today.

Paula Behrens:

Stand firm when the culture pushes against your convictions. We are living in a time when even churches and entire denominations are splitting over the question of morality. Some are choosing to reinterpret scripture to align with culture, while others are holding fast to the historic biblical teachings about the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. This is not just an abstract theological debate. It is real, it is painful and it is affecting brothers and sisters in Christ who find themselves torn between friendships, family loyalties and biblical convictions. For Christians today, standing firm may mean continuing to uphold what God's Word clearly teaches, even when people you love accuse you of being judgmental or old-fashioned. It may mean explaining to your children or grandchildren why your church believes differently than a neighboring congregation. It may mean prayerfully walking with a friend who struggles in this area, showing them the love of Christ without affirming choices that contradict God's Word.

Paula Behrens:

Paul's call is clear. Do not bend the truth to fit the times, but also do not wield truth without love. Standing firm does not mean being harsh. It means being steady, rooted in scripture and willing to live counter-culturally because your life is anchored in Christ. That is exactly what Paul was urging the Corinthians to do in their own context. Corinth was a city filled with sexual immorality, yet Paul reminded believers that their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit and that they were bought with a price. In the same way, modern-day believers are called to live with integrity and courage, honoring God with their bodies and holding on to biblical truth, even when the world, and sometimes even parts of the church, call that truth offensive.

Paula Behrens:

Standing firm is not easy, but it is part of what it means to live with Christ at the center. If you are listening today and realizing that standing firm in your faith feels harder than ever, and if you're longing to bring Christ back to the center of your life but don't really know where to begin, I'd love to walk alongside you. I invite you to book an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour plus Peace RESET with me. In this personalized session, we'll pray together, seek God's wisdom and find a devotional rhythm that fits your season of life. Think of it as a reset, a chance to quiet the noise, let go of stress, find peace in Christ and discover practical ways to strengthen your walk with him. Book your session now at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces).

Paula Behrens:

So how can you live this out in your own faith walk? It begins by remembering the heartbeat of Paul's letter. Christ must be at the center. When you face division or discouragement in your church, ask yourself, Am I keeping my eyes on Jesus or on people? When you wrestle with personal choices, remind yourself, I was bought with a price and my body belongs to Christ. When you are tempted to measure your worth by comparison, remember that love is the greatest measure. And when you are weighed down by sorrow or fear, cling to the truth that Christ is Risen and therefore your hope is secure.

Paula Behrens:

The Corinthians were imperfect, and so are we, but Paul's message is timeless. God's grace is bigger than our failures. His wisdom outshines the world's and his love never fails. To live on purpose in Christ is to let every part of your life, your relationships, your service, your choices and your hopes be shaped by him.

Paula Behrens:

Let's take a moment to pray. Lord, thank you for reminding us through your Word that you are at the center of all things. Help us to stand firm in our faith, to love others well and to live with courage and integrity in every area of our lives. Give us wisdom for the choices we face, patience for the challenges and joy in walking with you each day. May your Spirit guide us to bring your love into every relationship and decision, and may we always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is in his name that we pray. Amen.

Paula Behrens:

If today's message spoke to your heart and you're ready to reset your spiritual rhythm with peace and purpose, don't wait. Go ahead and book your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour now, while the Peace RESET is still on the table. Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.