“The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 2:14-16, MSG]
The Amplified says:
“But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].
The reason I’m presenting both is that each expands our initial understanding of these verses. AND, these are crucial verses for every Christian to know, to understand, and to apply. Do you realize this? Do you believe this? Do you accept this? 1 Corinthians tells us that we HAVE the mind of Christ and the purpose is to be guided by His thoughts and purposes!!! Our minds are far more important than we may realize. Do you think about what and how you feed your mind? The Lord doesn’t consider our minds as insignificant – so why should we!?
Too many people seem to leave their minds at home when they go out… and that includes going to church. If ever there is a time to guard our minds it would be in these times and places. In case you wondered… there are many scriptures that talk about our mind, how we feed it, what we do with what we know, how we go about strengthening and renewing our mind, etc. – especially Romans 12:2. Other examples: Colossians 3:2 – Proverbs 19:8 – Matthew 7:24 – Proverbs 3:13 -Colossians 3:2 – Philippians 2:5 – Peter 1:13 – Philippians 4:8 – Romans 7:23 – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, etc. I could go on, but the point is made – our minds should never spend time in the gutter or unattended.
I think the point also is that our minds are constantly being fed – question: is it with empty ‘calories’? How much time, DAILY, do we devote to renewing our minds? Never forget the scripture that tells us:
“Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” [2 Timothy 2: 14-15]
The point is verse 15 – and this is something WE do, can’t be done by osmosis or giving only lip service. It requires us choosing to spend time in the Word, to become the person the Lord can use and trust with His Word. Supporting this position, view is Hebrews 5:12-14
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant. But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.”
The takeaway is that God chooses to use us to touch lives, to make a difference, to be His Ambassadors. But is OUR decision to partner with Him (He never leaves us alone) in order to teach, to heal, to be His hands… here and now. And it begins in how we train our minds.
