Spiritual Wisdom Through the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:13-16
"Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Paul's message in this passage to the Corinthians is clear: true understanding of God’s wisdom comes not from human intellect, but from the Holy Spirit. The things of God, which might seem foolish to those who rely solely on human reasoning, are revealed through the Spirit to those who believe. Without the Spirit, a person cannot grasp these spiritual truths because they are discerned spiritually. This is why Paul says that the "natural person" cannot accept the things of God—they seem like nonsense to them.
This idea is echoed throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself promised that the Holy Spirit would be the believers’ teacher, guiding them into all truth. In John 14:26, Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” This reminds us that the Holy Spirit plays an active role in helping us understand God’s Word and live according to His wisdom. It’s not something we do on our own; we need the Spirit to guide us in all truth.
Similarly, in Romans 8:5-6, Paul talks about the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. He writes, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” This emphasizes that our minds, when guided by the Spirit, are focused on things that bring life and peace—things that are aligned with God’s wisdom, not human understanding.
Paul also prays for believers to grow in this spiritual understanding. In Ephesians 1:17-18, he asks that God would give the believers a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they might know Him better. He says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” This shows that spiritual enlightenment and understanding of God's wisdom come through the Holy Spirit, opening our eyes to deeper truths that the natural mind cannot perceive.
When we recognize that wisdom comes from God, we are invited to ask Him for it, as James 1:5 encourages: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God offers His wisdom freely to those who seek it, but we must approach Him with the recognition that true understanding comes only through His Spirit, not through our own effort.
Paul’s final statement in 1 Corinthians 2:16 reminds us that we, as believers, have the mind of Christ. This means that through the Holy Spirit, we can understand and discern God’s will in a way that the world cannot. The natural mind, disconnected from God’s Spirit, sees God’s ways as foolish. But those who walk with the Spirit are given insight into the deeper things of God, allowing us to live a life that reflects His wisdom.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are invited to think differently—to think like Christ—so that we can discern the will of God and live a life that glorifies Him.
Contact Dean, Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com