Spiritual discernment

1 Corinthians 2:13-14,16

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.... 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

There is so much food for thought in these few verses.  Let us break it up into smaller components.  Paul says:

• They are not teaching man's wisdom, but the wisdom of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit's wisdom is spirit to spirit and should be discerned by and in the spirit
• The natural man cannot and does not receive the things of the Spirit of God
• The natural man perceives the things of God as foolishness and therefore cannot know the things of God

Point to ponder

• Let us this week ask the Holy Spirit to give us the discernment to discern the things of the Spirit with our spirits, as opposed to human wisdom.
• Let us ask Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual sensitivity to know and experience the Wisdom of the Spirit of God.
• Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ 

Changing me - Anna Golden

His Spirit's whisper in my spirit

1 Corinthians 2:10-12

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

These three verses are such interesting verses and teaches us so much about how spirit works.  Contrary to the theology many of us grew up with, Paul makes it clear that man has spirit.  God has Spirit and the world also has spirit.  Paul encourages us by making us aware that God does not give us the spirit of the world and he then continues to explain that God gives us His Spirit, in our spirits, so that we might know the things, yes, the deep things of God.  This remains a mystery to many of us, but in faith we can receive and expect and be comforted by the fact that since we know (at least in part) the things of God, it must mean that we therefore have received the Spirit of God, and that He is at work in our hearts, drawing us closer and ever deeper into the knowledge and revelation of God.  A miracle indeed, nevertheless one we were created for before the foundation of the earth.  

Point to ponder: 

Ask Holy Spirit to make us aware of God's Spirit in our spirit this week in whichever way He should choose to.  

Whisper - Jason Upton

Leaders with godly Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:6-9

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The rulers of biblical times did not have God's wisdom, therefore they crucified Jesus - 2000 years later  we unfortunately still cannot say that we have rulers that have developed any godlier wisdom than those of biblical times.  This made me think, though - we have such great opportunities to raise godly leaders in the next generation - maybe we should intentionally ask God for His wisdom in how to raise the next generation, how to impart at least the godly wisdom we have to them - but then also - what would be His strategy for us to put in place so that they will go on developing even more godly wisdom than what we have in this generation?  

Point to ponder

Let's pray this week for our leaders - for their hearts to turn to God and for godly wisdom to be imparted by the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and minds.  Let's also pray for the next generation of leaders to be raised with godly wisdom and for those who have to raise them to know how to do that!

Lord, we join heaven's song, singing endless Alleluias for countless miracles...

Endless Alleluia - Stephany Gretzinger