Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.

We all make judgments every day. We should. Wise judgment is part of following Jesus—choosing what's right, resisting what's wrong, and evaluating what's healthy or harmful.

But Paul is talking about something very different here:

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. — 1 Corinthians 4:1–5

There's a difference between making wise judgments and pronouncing eternal judgment—and the Corinthians confused the two.

They weren't just evaluating behavior. They were assigning motives, ranking leaders, critiquing hearts, and acting like they could see what only God sees.

Paul says, "Your judgment—and even my own self‑evaluation—is too small to define me."

Human judgment is horizontal. God's judgment is eternal.

Paul isn't telling believers to stop using discernment. He's telling them to stop pretending they can see what only God sees.

You can evaluate actions and doctrine. You should evaluate behavior. But you cannot evaluate a person's motives or eternal standing. That belongs to God alone.

Live for God's approval, not human applause.

People will misjudge you. You'll even misjudge yourself—thinking you're doing great when you're not, or failing when God says you're being faithful. But none of that settles anything.

The final evaluation belongs to God. He will expose motives, reveal what's hidden, and reward faithfulness no one ever saw. And when He speaks, He will get it right.

So live for that moment. Live for His verdict.

DO THIS:

Release one place where you've been overly self‑critical or overly concerned about someone else's opinion. Say: "Lord, I want to be faithful—You handle the final judgment."

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I confusing wise judgment with eternal judgment?
2. Whose opinion has too much influence over my confidence?
3. What would change if I lived for God's verdict instead of people's reactions?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me judge wisely but never assume Your role. Teach me to live for Your approval, trust Your timing, and surrender every final judgment to You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Only Jesus"

Are you growing or staying stuck?

SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 3 is Paul's wake-up call to every believer: put down the bottle and pick up a brick.
God's building His church—and He wants you building with Him. Watch the full breakdown now.

REFLECTION & SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
1. Where do you see spiritual immaturity show up most clearly in your own life?
2. In what ways do jealousy or comparison hold you back spiritually?
3. How have you made Christian leaders into "instruments" instead of focusing on God's intent?
4. What unique role do you think God has given you in building His church?
5. Are you contributing to your church or mostly spectating? What needs to change?
6. What "building materials" are you using—gold or straw? What needs to be refined?
7. Where are you tempted to water down truth to fit culture?
8. How does remembering you are the temple of the Holy Spirit change how you live?
9. What recent situation exposed whether you were building unity or division?
10. What is one real step of maturity you can take this week?

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

We all wrestle with insecurity — in relationships, in calling, and in the unknown future. It creeps in quietly and convinces us we're missing something, behind on something, or not enough for something. But Paul gives a truth big enough to shut insecurity down at its roots.

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. — 1 Corinthians 3:21–23

The Corinthians were comparing, competing, and craving affirmation — classic insecurity on display. Paul cuts through it with one reality: you're not missing out. You already belong to Christ, and in Him, you have more than you think.

Look again at what Paul says belongs to you:

• The world — God works within it for your good.
• Life — every moment comes with a God-given purpose.
• Death — even your greatest fear has been turned into a doorway to Him.
• The present — God's presence is here, now.
• The future — God owns it, secures it, and guides you into it.

Paul intentionally stacks these truths to remind believers that insecurity is built on forgetting, while confidence is built on belonging.

Security forms with belonging — insecurity forms with forgetting.

When you remember who you belong to, insecurity begins to break apart. Fear quiets down. Comparison loses its pull. Anxiety loosens its grip. Because Christ doesn't just hand out spiritual gifts — He gives Himself.

And if you have Him, you're not lacking anything. Not now. Not ever.

DO THIS:

Name one insecurity you battle. Then say aloud: "I am Christ's — and Christ is enough."

ASK THIS:

1. What insecurity shapes my decisions more than God's truth?
2. How would I live if I really believed "all things are mine in Christ"?
3. What part of my identity in Christ do I forget most?

PRAY THIS:

Father, thank You that I belong to Christ. Help me release insecurity and rest in the security You've already given me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Who You Say I Am"