1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV)
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
In today’s reading, Paul is saying that a “natural person” can’t see the truth with his worldly knowledge (2:14). It’s not that he doesn’t have the intelligence to understand spiritual wisdom. Instead, the problem is moral. Hard hearts can’t believe that God’s wisdom is the right way or that the weak guy who died on the cross is the Almighty Saviour. Only a “spiritual person,” or someone who has been made new by the Spirit, can believe this. On the other hand, the “spiritual person” can judge, see, or believe all these truths only because of the work of the Spirit. No “natural person,” can understand or judge this spiritual person (v. 15). Paul doesn’t mean that Christians can’t be judged fairly by other people or that we don’t have to answer to anyone but ourselves. He is saying that people who are not saved don’t know what to think of Christians. Just think about it from a worldly perspective. You’re the person believing things like those who wish to save their lives will lose it and those who lose their lives for Christ’s sake will find it or that getting angry at someone is like murdering them in your heart or that Jesus is going to come back here and rule the world, and countless other teachings that almost seem absurd to the world, are perceived as Godly wisdom for Christians. They will think we are stupid and won’t believe that our Spirit-shaped beliefs and ways of living are good and right. That my friend really shouldn’t worry us, because the Spirit gives us Christ’s mind (v. 16). We know and believe His thoughts because they are in His Word and the Holy Spirit confirms them to us. But remember this, sin stays in us until we are glorified. So sometimes we will follow the wisdom of the world instead of the wisdom of God. But if we are in Christ, there is hope, because our new, Spirit-given hearts can’t be happy if we are living against the Lord. When we find ourselves following the world’s wisdom, we need to change our minds by feeding on the Word of God and asking Him to help us follow His advice.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, as we read, listen to, and watch many things in the world, we’re bound to be bombarded with worldly advice and to do things that don’t please you. We long for Godly wisdom that you teach through your Spirit. As we read your word today father, make us wise. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
