By Pamela Rose Williams
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Today’s verse is one that is hidden in the context of one of the Apostle Paul’s epistles to the church at Corinth. Let’s see what he is really talking about here:
(1 Cor 2:6-14) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13]Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I don’t know about you, but when I read this verse in context it is so much easier to understand what Paul is saying. He is speaking about understanding the things of God, comparing the spiritual man (the believer) with the natural man (the unbeliever). When someone hears the truth, the gospel of salvation and believes it, they are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:12-14; 4:30). It is the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer that enables them to spiritually “discern”, or understand the word of God. The unbeliever cannot understand the things of God because they do not have the “Discern-er” … the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit (Ghost) that teaches the believer about God. It is the Holy Spirit that allows the believer to walk in the way that pleases God (Rom 8:1-5; Gal 5:16, 22-25).
When I share the gospel with people, often times they are reluctant to accept the truth. They are afraid that because they do not know enough about the Bible that they cannot be a believer. They resist the call of salvation because they have never been told that it is OK to NOT know the Bible BEFORE you start your walk as a believer. They have never been told that indeed because they do not have the Holy Spirit they, in fact, cannot know the word of God. They do not have spiritual discernment and when they are taught that this understanding comes AFTER salvation, a burden is lifted and the blinders are removed.
Our job is to take Jesus to them and then allow the Holy Spirit to help them to walk in newness of life. To know God is to know Christ. To know Christ is to have the Holy Spirit … the great Discern-er.
(2 Cor 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Things to Think About and Do:
1. Find a verse (or passage) in the Bible that tells us that the word of God is what renews our mind. (hint: there may be more than one verse or passage)
2. Find someone whom you think needs to hear about the great Discerner and tell them what you learned from today’s verse of the day.
3. If you have not already done so, read and meditate upon Galatians 5:16 and 22-25. Examine yourself and write down the piece of fruit that you most desire to be seen in yourself.
