1 Corinthians 2:6-13

                                                                 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

As fallen people living in a fallen world, we have deep needs and are incapable of meeting those needs on our own.  It is difficult for us to understand the world in which we live.  There is a certain type of wisdom that comes from the experiences and minds of men.  This wisdom may resonate with our own limited minds, but it is not dependable.  God’s wisdom is different.  Since He knows everything about everything and everyone, God’s wisdom is dependable and dispensable.  We can count on it being truth and communicate it with confidence in dependence on the Holy Spirit.

 

DISCERN THE WISDOM OF GOD: There is a wisdom that is from this world and the rulers of this age.  There is a wisdom that is from God.  It is vital to be able to tell the difference.  Paul turned his back on the world’s wisdom and boldly proclaimed the Lord’s wisdom.  This discernment is what makes all the difference in a minister’s effectiveness.  God’s wisdom is hidden and secret to those who wield the power in this temporary world.  The condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate proof of this reality.  We can be impressed by and attracted to the political and popular power-seeking men of our day.  However, this will inhibit us from understanding and having access to the wisdom of God.   We must learn to reject the obvious wisdom of this world in order to gain access to and benefit from the hidden wisdom of God.

 

DEPEND ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD: God has an incredible plan for all who love Him.  Central to that plan is the indwelling power of the Spirit of God.  In the history of humanity, this divine blessing could never have been imagined.  In Christ the Holy Spirit becomes available to all who believe on a permanent and personal basis.  How can we hope to be able to discern the difference between God’s wisdom and man’s?  Dependence on the Spirit of God.  He is the one who knows the mind of God and is able to make this information and instruction available to us.  This is why human weakness is such an advantage to believers.  Our weakness makes us dependent on God’s Spirit.  In our strength we will simply depend on our own power and position.  The supernatural power of the Spirit of God is available to all who will humbly trust Christ and love God’s wisdom.

 

DISPENSE THE TRUTH OF GOD: When we depend on God’s Spirit, we are able to discern God’s wisdom which allows us to dispense God’s truth to other people.  God’s Spirit is at work in the lives of believers.  His first job is to reveal the wisdom of God to people who trust Christ.  His next job is to transform us through the knowledge of His Word and His indwelling power.  Finally, it is His job to equip us to be instruments in His hands to point others to the truth of God’s wisdom.  These are the spiritual truths that only spiritual people can understand.  Those who reject Christ cannot see past the temporal benefits of human power structures and prosperity.  Only God’s Spirit allows us to see God’s eternal wisdom and then equips us to be able to reveal those spiritual truths to others.

 

APPLICATION: Be careful not to be distracted by the glitz and glitter of man’s wisdom.  Seek to discern the wisdom that come to us from God.  Learn to lean on the Spirit of God and the power He provides for us to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  Boldly tell others about spiritual truths of God’s Word, will and ways in the power of the Spirit.

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