Week 8:
I Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
In week 6 we talked about how the people of the world cannot know us because they do not know God. The above passage and its context allows us see that the world cannot know God because they do not know the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God reveals things to those who seek to know God. For those of us who seek God and seek to know the truth through the Bible, the Spirit reveals to us the nature and commands of God.
As the passage states, this does not make sense to the world. Oh how I have seen this to be true. Many times in dealing with those who do not have the Spirit of God, even a simple Bible story that has a related moral message to their situation makes no sense at all. However, there are many non-Christians who have a good moral compass and know right from wrong. So, did the Spirit of God reveal this to them. I believe so. The Bible is clear that all good things come from the Father. I believe where the moral non-Christian gets hung up on this passage is when one explains to them that there is only one way to the father…Jesus. To them, that is foolishness.
Furthermore, God reveals himself to the world through His Spirit. Otherwise, how would we come to know Him? For many, His Spirit works through people in their lives and those people draw their friends and loved ones to God. The Spirit of God is at work continually through people, through circumstances, in nature, etc.
One thing that is very important to note about this passage is what is not said. Looking at the context around this passage, we see what the Spirit does for us. For us, the Spirit is what guides us through scripture. The Spirit is what allows us to know the nature of God (what little we gain insight to). The Spirit is how we are able to discern what is true, what is right and wrong, where God is leading, etc. As foolish as the things of God are to those who do not accept the Spirit of God, the Spirit is our pathway into understanding God’s purpose for us.
Just remember, that when dealing with a non-Christian, determine if the Spirit is working before having a Biblical conversation. Otherwise, you may be talking in circles. Bathe that situation in prayer.
Questions/challenges:
1. Describe a time when you were having a biblical conversation with an individual who did not understand the Spirit of God.
2. Have you at times felt that the Spirit had not allowed you to understand a passage? Describe that situation.
3. Imagine you are having a conversation with Jesus. What would he be telling you about this passage? How would he handle those who are not touched by the Spirit?
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