Wisdom from the Spirit

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 2

 

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ 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.

(ESV)

 

In the process of going through old items in my home, my wife and I ran across an old set of encyclopedias. For my younger readers, these were books containing information, the Google of the time. While there was a time lag waiting for the latest editions of the encyclopedias, this lag time made it possible for editors to review the information for accuracy before publication, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information. Information on the internet is instantaneously available but lacks an editing process ensuring accuracy, leaving the review process to the reader of the information. The apostle Paul was more than qualified to teach from Scripture but did not want people to depend on his wisdom but the wisdom of the Spirit of God.

 

As a Pharisee, Paul could have made a lofty argument for Jesus as Messiah when he approached the Corinthians but instead decided to know nothing and proclaim Jesus Christ crucified to them (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). His reason for this was his desire to have the faith of the Corinthians rest not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:3-5). Among the mature, Paul imparts wisdom, but it is not the wisdom of men which will pass away but a hidden wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). This hidden wisdom is unknown by the rulers of Paul’s time because if they had known it, they would not have crucified Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8-9).

 

Paul receives wisdom through revelation from the Spirit of God who knows everything, including the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The power of what Paul proclaims is not from the spirit of the world, but from the Spirit of God, helping humanity understand the things freely given to humanity by God (1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul’s teaching is not from human wisdom but from the Spirit of God who interprets spiritual truths to those who are spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13; John 14:26).

 

The wisdom of the Spirit is not something understood by a natural person because it is foolishness to him or her, and he or she cannot understand it because it is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). A spiritual person possessing the wisdom of the Spirit judges all things but judged by no one due to his or her lack of understanding of the wisdom of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:15). One must possess the mind of the Lord through the Spirit of God to understand the mind of the Lord. Therefore, Paul who has the Spirit of God within him has the mind of Christ and has the wisdom of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:16).

 

Paul as a Pharisee could have dazzled the Corinthians with his vast knowledge of the Scriptures but instead shared the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). The reason for this decision was the encounter Paul had with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Paul knew Scripture but lacked an encounter with the risen Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul’s knowledge of Scripture, which did not recognize Jesus as Messiah, turned to wisdom from the Holy Spirit and knowledge of Jesus as Messiah.

 

A believer in Christ must study to show themselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15), and like the Bereans, conduct a daily examining the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). However, Jesus told the Samaritan woman that true worshippers of God worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23). While we commonly think of worship as singing to God, study of the Word of God to discover more about God our Savior is also a form of worship. However, worship through the study of Scripture, acquiring knowledge without the counsel and power of the Spirit is empty and can lead to false theology like Paul not seeing Jesus in Scripture prior to his Damascus encounter.

 

Access to knowledge of Scripture has never been easier than it is in the information age in which we live, but sadly this knowledge lacks the power of the Spirit and has led to many deceptive theologies. The Laodicean Church of today has a vast knowledge of Scripture but is using this knowledge in a self-serving manner, focusing on their prosperity (Revelation 3:17) instead of the mission of the Church to take the message of the Gospel to the world (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Like the Apostle Paul, the Church needs an encounter with God through the Spirit to receive power to take the Gospel to a world in desperate need (Acts 1:8). Paul did not use his knowledge of Scripture for his self-interests and instead boldly shared the Gospel, suffering for it (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Please join me in prayer that everyone reading this would experience an encounter with God through the Spirit, empowering them to share the Gospel. If you are reading this and have not taken the first step in having an encounter with God through accepting Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.