How to be a Schizophrenic Christian

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Pastor Shawn picks up Paul’s letter right where it starts to sting: the Corinthians are saints, yet they’re acting like they have two personalities—“spiritual” on Sunday, “carnal” the rest of the week. Paul calls them “babes in Christ” because, though they are new‑creations, they’re still trying to live out the Christian life on self‑effort. Like royal children bored in the palace, they’ve forgotten that the whole kingdom already belongs to them. Until they embrace their single, Spirit‑filled identity, they’ll keep chasing spiritual junk food that feeds ego instead of faith.

Drawing on Galatians 2:20 and 3:1‑3, Pastor Shawn reminds us that our old self was crucified with Christ—there is no second nature lurking inside us to manage or kill off. Growth comes the same way salvation came: by grace through faith. When we slip back into “flesh mode,” we trade the Spirit’s power for envy, strife, and division—the rotten fruit Paul now sees in Corinth. Milk (justification) got them started, but solid food (fruit‑bearing life) requires abiding in Christ, not doubling down on willpower. Anything that tells you “it all depends on you” is a lie that leaves you exhausted and immature.

So what’s the cure for this spiritual schizophrenia? Renounce self‑reliance and fix your eyes on Jesus—His finished work, His indwelling Spirit, His voice defining your identity. The Father doesn’t want better behavior; He wants His children to believe they’re already loved, holy, and joined to His Son like a sponge soaked in living water. When we live from that union, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—flows naturally. Stop letting old voices label you a sinner; listen to Jesus, put on your Grace Glasses, and grow up into the freedom that’s been yours all along.

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