Remember the Work of God. 1Corinthians 2:11-16 No one knows the secret things hidden in another person’s mind. Similarly, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. What He wants us to know, He reveals to us, which is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. He teaches us those things that please God. Furthermore, by comparing, combining, interpreting spiritual truths and words, and applying them to spiritual people, we learn divine things and how to live by them.
God has graciously given to those who believe in Him and know Him the wonderful truth of the Gospel. The Father elects those who will believe in Christ by choosing us before the foundation of the world. He included us in the divine plan of the ages. We know the Son of God has come and, through His sacrifice, has demonstrated God's love to us when He died for our sins, as the scriptures say, was buried, and rose again on the third day, also according to the scriptures. The work of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel is to convict us of "sin, righteousness, and judgment to come." Through the Spirit of God using the truth of the Word of God, we are born again by the Spirit.
The "deep things" have been revealed to us by the Spirit. They include who God is, the nature of God, and God's plan to provide salvation through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This legally and justly makes it possible for God to "look on Him, and pardon me" because the wages of sin have been paid for by death—the death of the Perfect Substitute. Now, the Lord Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead for our justification. Legal satisfaction has been made. By nature, men don't know this, and more than that, it seems foolish to them. "But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit."
These things are not understood by people who trust in earthly wisdom and do not consider that they need the Holy Spirit to teach them what is appropriate and true. We need the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to express spiritual truth correctly. A person who does not have the Holy Spirit is not qualified to judge anyone who has the Spirit indwelling them. Believers are not subject to the opinions of unbelievers when it comes to God’s word and how to apply it.
Every person's personality is unique, and we don't truly understand what goes on inside someone else. We might interpret certain things through outward expressions, but the true spirit of each person is hidden from others. Similarly, only divine Persons know the things of God. Yet, something completely remarkable and beyond our greatest expectations has occurred! The Holy Spirit, "who searches all things" and knows the "deep things," reveals to us the "things which God hath prepared for them that love Him!" God desires us to now know the blessings He has prepared for us in grace.
God reveals His plans to us through His Spirit. He has made this possible by the Spirit of God becoming the Divine Resident who dwells in us since we have been saved by God's grace. This is very different from the spirit of this age or world. The spirit of the world focuses only on self and self-interest. It places man as the independent ruler of his own life and destiny. How often do we hear, "You can do it if you put your mind to it." "You can be whatever you want to be." But it is the Spirit of God who dwells in us and teaches us. He clarifies the blessings of God's grace that meet our needs, not our independent choices and their consequences.
The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the authority to communicate God's word to us. What the apostles were taught by the Spirit, they communicated to the Corinthians and to "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." Through the Holy Spirit and the apostles, we have received the spiritual truths that God intends for us. These truths are given in written form, not just inspired thoughts. The inspiration of the scriptures has now come to us in the Bible to convey its truth to others. When we speak the word of God, we are passing on what was verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit to "holy men of old," including the apostles. We can now communicate spiritual truths with spiritual words. These are not vague ideas we invent to please people.
Many people now prefer to hear only what makes them feel good about themselves and God. They want to hear about God's love, not His righteousness, justice, or wrath. They focus on the goodness of people, ignoring the reality and consequences of sin. We cannot tailor our message to what appeals to the "spirit of the world (age)." It is our duty, just as it was for the apostles, to share spiritual truths using spiritual words. Stay true to what the Bible teaches!
The Corinthian believers had gotten caught up with the gifts of the Spirit and had neglected God's counsel. By misusing what was good, they fell into the trap of overemphasizing what they liked and that made them feel spiritual. Satan took advantage of them, and they were not communicating "spiritual things with spiritual words," which was causing chaos and division in the church. We must read the Bible carefully and meditate on it so we understand both the interpretation and how to apply it to our current situation. A clear understanding of Bible doctrine acts as a safeguard for us personally and can bless others when we share it. We can learn from how the Lord Jesus taught when we read the Gospels and follow His teachings and example.
Even the most intelligent but unsaved man cannot understand what the Holy Spirit teaches the new believer. Professors, doctors, and theologians are in darkness when it comes to spiritual truth if they do not have the Holy Spirit, who indwells us at the moment of being born again. On the other hand, new believers begin to grow in grace and knowledge as they start their walk of faith. We can see beyond the facade of this age and recognize what is truly important—what is truly true. The growing Christian can discern what others cannot. The Holy Spirit matures us as we grow, and when we stay committed to sharing spiritual truths with spiritual words, we ourselves are ministered to by the very words we share.
This way, we can enjoy what Christ enjoys, understand God's plans, and the reasons behind events. We are not perfect and will make mistakes, so we do not assume the role of God in others' lives. However, by thinking as God does and valuing what He values, we can communicate God's truth to others in ways they can understand. This helps us stay relevant to those hearing the Gospel. It is risky if we emphasize one work of the Godhead more than another. By maintaining a balanced focus on spiritual matters, we can effectively share the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as they reveal God's wisdom and deep truths.
Spiritual people understand how to respond to moral and spiritual issues because the Holy Spirit provides that discernment. He grants us the ability to see from our Lord Jesus Christ's perspective. Therefore, Paul could say, “We have the mind of Christ.”
With gentle words and compassion, we share what we learn from God. Thoughts that come from the Holy Spirit are understood when we preach the Word. The darkness of unbelievers can't be changed; they are who they are by nature. Things we have experienced and learned from God are not just felt but go far beyond this worldly culture. The Holy Spirit first revealed what was previously hidden from us. Things our sinful nature concealed are now real when we trust in the Savior. The Father in heaven had a plan that was fulfilled when Christ was here. When He appeared as a man, Christ brought God's purposes close to us so we could understand and believe in Him.
Then the Spirit came to dwell in each person who puts their faith in Christ. His enlightenment enables us to share God's redeeming grace with others. Through His indwelling power, we can articulate the urgency of the Gospel being preached today so that sinners will be encouraged to turn from sin. The Spirit searches all things; nothing is hidden from Him. From Him, the conviction of sin brings a burden we long to be freed from.
Each heart, when searched by the Spirit, opens to spiritual truth. By facing our sins, we reveal our hearts and souls, and the Word shows us the truth we need to hear. Growing in truth takes time, and we must make a choice. What do I want from my life? Am I willing to obey God's voice? When I do, God, in His mercy, opens my mind to understand what He teaches. Knowing the mind of Christ involves receiving the power of the Word that touches my heart. The spirit of the world claims the mind of a natural man and will manipulate, control, and dictate who it can. It seeks to demand our allegiance and force my hand to do its will— but not the Spirit of the Lord.
The world-God spirit aims to shape me in its way; it will try to influence everything I do and say. Its methods do not align with the children of God today. Christians live in the light, and we must follow the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit of God reveals truth through His Word. The Spirit of God provides understanding from the Lord. The Spirit of God gives me the light of God because the Spirit of the Lord dwells within me.
When I worship, I do so in the Spirit of God. When I speak, I should do it through the Spirit of God. When I sing, it should be guided by the Spirit of God because I’ve been sealed by the Spirit of God. I receive understanding of the Bible when I read. I learn and follow its truths through the Spirit. It is the Spirit of the Lord that guides me when I need direction.
With gracious words received from the Holy Spirit and the compassion needed to represent the Lord Jesus, we share what we learn from God. Thoughts shaped by the Spirit are understood when we proclaim the Word. The darkness of unbelievers cannot be changed because they are by nature who they are. Experiences we have had, not just felt, go far beyond this worldly culture we live in. The Holy Spirit first revealed what was previously hidden from us. Those things our nature concealed are now real when the Savior we trust is present. The Father in heaven had a plan that was fulfilled when Christ came here in human form, and through Him, Christ brought God's purposes close to us. Then the Spirit came to dwell in those who put their faith in Christ so that through His enlightenment we can tell others about God's redeeming grace. By His indwelling power, we are able to communicate the urgency of the gospel in this present hour so that sinners will be willing to turn from their sins to Christ.
The Spirit searches everything that happens. Nothing is hidden from Him, who brings conviction of sin and makes it a burden we want to be rid of. Each heart, by the Spirit's search, is opened to spiritual truth. By facing sin, we confront it, and the Word of God reveals its value. Growing in truth takes time because we must make a choice. What do I want from this life? Am I willing to obey God's voice? When I am, God in mercy unveils to my mind the ability to receive what He teaches. Understanding the mind of Christ means the power of the Word reaches my heart and transforms me from an observer to a participant.
The spirit of the world tries to claim a person's mind. It will manipulate, control, and demand my allegiance, trying to force me into its mold instead of guiding me like Christ, led by the Spirit of the Lord. The world’s spirit wants to shape me in its image and influence everything I do and say. Its ways are incompatible with the children of the day. Therefore, I must walk by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Spirit of God reveals truth through His Word. He grants me understanding of the Lord and provides light and guidance because I am indwelt by His Spirit. When I worship, I do so in the Spirit of God. When I speak, I should do so through the Spirit. When I sing, it should be directed by the Spirit because I have been sealed by Him. I gain understanding of the Bible as I read it, and I learn by paying attention to the truths through the Spirit. It is the Spirit of the Lord who leads me whenever I need divine guidance.