I Corinthians 6:1-11

"Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another" (v7). Paul was not trying to set up a parallel Christian legal system. He was pointing out that in a community marked by love as much as belief, we should be able to work out most of our problems without dragging everything into a secular court. There are wise people in the Body of Christ (v5) who can help settle disputes (unrepentant sin is a different matter, 5:13).

If believers turn against one another, bitterness, and resentment will disrupt our community and defeat our testimony.