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1 Corinthians 6:7

⁷To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

Some of the Corinthian believers were entering into lawsuits against their fellow believers. Paul asked why they didn't take it to the church and let the elders make a judgment. If the saints are going to judge the world and angels, why would they think a worldly judge would be better at settling their disputes? These little matters are trivial compared to the judgments we will make in the future. Paul was shaming them for their lack of confidence in the body of Christ.

Paul called their propensity to file lawsuits against one another a defeat. They were hindering the testimony of Jesus in Corinth because of the way they misrepresented Him. The enemy of their souls had won a victory by getting them to squabble over minor issues and bring them to the world for resolutions. The same thing happens today in churches around the world. Believers who disagree with their brothers cannot humble themselves to accept the judgment of the godly leaders of their congregations.

Paul asked a very challenging question. Why not rather suffer wrong and be defrauded? If all things are ours and we trust in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21), why wouldn't the spiritually mature person let the other party have what he or she thought they should have? To lose some possession in this world for the sake of the testimony of Christ is a privilege. Don't we believe the Lord will provide for us? Why not end the contention by giving up something we can't take to heaven, anyway? Remember, the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:10)!

Consider: Everything we do should be for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom. Let's not let the enemy defeat us by getting us absorbed in trivial things.