1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment So Vital.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) The person without
the Spirit does not accept the things that come
from the Spirit of God but considers them
foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are
discerned only through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (CWR) Without the Holy
Spirit, man cant understand what God is trying to
tell him. It seems foolish to him because
spiritual things can only be understood spiritually.
INTRODUCTION
God intends that even in this life the
truths of His word shall be ever unfolding to His
people. There is only one way in which this
knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an
understanding of God's word only through the illumination
of that Spirit by which the word was given. {SC
109.2}
COMMENTARY
After exposing the futility of worldly
thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces
Christians to the higher realm of godly wisdom. This
kind of knowledge and understanding isn't
available through human intelligence and reasoning; it
comes strictly through divine revelation. Only
those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of
Christ" (v. 16) and access to "the things freely
given" to them by God (v. 12).
Without this supernatural insight, no one
can accurately know the Lord or His ways. Many
people say they believe in God yet may not have a
correct understanding of Him because their
perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas.
It's easier to custom-design a god to fit our
preferences than to make the required adjustments that
worship of the one true God demands.
Even believers need to guard against
trying to fit God into their preconceived image of
Him. The Bible is the only reliable source of
divine revelation, but we must be careful to
consider the Scriptures as a whole"it's critical
that we don't just pick and choose the verses we
want to believe. For example, by focusing only on
passages that emphasize the Lord's lovingkindness
while excluding those that speak of His holiness
and justice, we misunderstand His true nature.
Let's seek to know the Lord in truth by
considering the entire counsel of Scripture. Divine
wisdom is available to every believer through the
Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May
we never try to limit Him to fit our
preferences. Instead, may He enlarge our minds to embrace
His thoughts. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
One of the reasons that many people -
including believers - dont read the Bible is
because they cant understand it. We would expect
that to be the case for those who dont know
Christ, but why do so many believers fail to
comprehend the truths of Scripture? Maybe its
because they havent asked for help from their
divine Teacher. One of the Holy Spirits chief
responsibilities is to enable Christians to understand the
things of God.
When looking at believers who know more
than we do, well sometimes think, I will never
be able to reach that level. The issue,
however, isnt how much knowledge you have right
now, but whether you are growing in your
understanding. The Spirit will teach you what you need to
know, not necessarily what others know. Because He
wants to make us godly people, Hell give us
enough truth each day to change our lives. He will
interpret the meaning and give an application designed
specifically for each person.
The Spirits goal is not to fill your
mind with information but to bring you to a
deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He
wants you to understand the truth so you will fall
in love with Jesus. Then youll long to spend
time in the Word, thereby getting to know Him
even better.
But all these treasures of Gods Word
could remain out of reach if you never ask the
Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your
Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A
wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ
awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the
thoughts of God. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Wisdom!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070910-1031.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(live now): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
