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 mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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.
The Evil Elohim
After the fall of man to sin, earth came under the influence of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not”, the god of this world being Satan. In John 8:44, in no uncertain terms, Jesus tells the Pharisees that their spiritual father is Satan. This could be one of the reasons the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to enlighten the believers in Corinth—and us—that once Jesus is accepted as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within, making the body the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Without knowing this, the believer’s mind is more likely to remain in a natural state and susceptible to evil influences.
Believers must also recognize there are other dark forces in the spiritual realm besides Satan. These evil entities are continually trying to control and separate mankind from God. After God dispersed the people into nations at the Tower of Babel, He also placed angels over the nations to guide them (Deuteronomy 32:8-9)—but these angels, like Satan, went against Him. This is revealed in Psalm 82:1-2, “God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: ‘How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?‘” In the original Hebrew writing, the word Elohim is used for the English, God or gods. Elohim is not the name of God, but is a word used to describe divine or heavenly beings. God presides over lesser gods (divine beings), but there is no other God like Yahweh.
This gives complete understanding to, and the weight of, Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
What the Spiritually Blind Cannot See
The unbelieving world is spiritually blinded to the ways of God. Unfortunately, even some who claim to believe in God have taken to a watered-down Gospel—one that depicts Jesus as a great teacher, orator, or philosopher, rather than the Son of God. This completely diminishes the work of the Cross and plays right into the hands of the evil one. In the same way, prosperity preachers have turned worship services into motivational speaking events, cherry-picking the Scriptures and portraying God as one who exists to serve His people.
These false wisdoms of man blind the spiritual understanding of many even further, preventing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit from taking place. Prior to His ascension, Jesus explained to the disciples the role the Holy Spirit would play. In John 16:13, He taught that when the Spirit comes to those who believe, He will guide them to all truth. The guidance of the Spirit leads to the ability to “compare spiritual things with spiritual”—discerning righteous from worldly, and distinguishing God’s truth from worldy deception.
The natural person cannot receive the truths taught by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit convicts, the natural person calls it “feeling guilty” and soon rationalizes the next sin. Divine intervention they call intuition or wisdom, never giving thought that the outcome may not have been for their benefit at all—but for one of God’s children who may be affected by their worldly decisions. Without being able to discern spiritually, divine moments are misinterpreted, and spiritual truths are dismissed as foolishness.
Spiritually Enlightened Through the Mind of Christ
By contrast, the spiritually enlightened mind evaluates all things spiritually, according to its walk with Christ. Jesus teaches in John 16:13-14 that the Spirit “will not speak of himself” and that He will glorify Jesus,“He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer enabling the believer to discern all things with the mind of Christ. For this reason, the spiritual mind is a highly coveted target of evil spirits—because once a believer learns to think with the mind of Christ, the enemy loses his influence.
The Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ are gifts given freely from God to all who believe. Satan thought he had won once he was able to lead Adam and Eve into sin by doubting God’s instruction. This is the same temptation evil forces use on God’s children today, to draw them away from His truth. Yet even though Jesus has defeated Satan, the Holy Spirit restrains evil influences by giving divine guidance and instruction to the believer—until the end—when Satan and those like him receive final judgment and are cast into the lake of fire with the nonbelievers. Because of this, it is our responsibility to guard our minds against worldly temptation by staying spiritually inclined through prayer and reading the Word, daily—ensuring our place in eternity, the new Heaven and New Earth, as God has promised (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).
The Greatest Gifts From God
Grace—God’s unmerited favor—is another gift He freely gives to His children. It is God’s grace, administered by the Holy Spirit, that manifests as real-world blessings in the believer’s life. The unexpected money that arrives at the perfect moment. The person who steps in to help when you never thought to ask. The times you prepared yourself to receive bad news, only to find it turned out good — or far better than you feared. These are glimpses of God working behind the scenes, quietly administering His grace. This is why Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
God’s grace—the unmerited favor that prepares people and situations to work in our favor—is the very reason boasting has no place in the Christian walk. Jesus taught this plainly in John 15:5 when He stated, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” When we walk in the Spirit, we bear the fruit of the Spirit, and God allows His grace to flow freely into our lives. The “much fruit” Jesus speaks of refers to the many blessings God bestows on the believer whose heart is aligned with His. We may bear the fruit, but every blessing is ultimately to bring glory to God. When we testify of these blessings we receive, we are to give all credit to God. In doing so, we express the spiritual wisdom the Holy Spirit has taught us, revealing how God works in the life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:13).
There is one gift that rises above all others—a gift none of us deserves, yet one God freely offers to all who believe. His desire to give this gift is so deep that He sacrificed His only begotten. It is the gift of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven and receiving eternal life—to never be separated from Him. Romans 8:7 states unmistakably, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” The carnal mind is natural, fleshly, and worldly in its thinking. Because of this, it is always at odds with God, doubts God, and cannot understand God—placing the unrepentant heart at risk of eternal separation from Him.
Turning God’s Pain Into His Glory
Jesus spoke plainly in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” The words of Jesus may sound harsh, but we must consider the pain God felt when Lucifer—His most perfectly created angel—and others, turned against Him. They now work tirelessly to turn every child of God away from Him. This is why God will not risk an unrepentant heart inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals the depths of God’s love: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” For over two thousand years since offering the gift of redemption, God has endured humanity’s evil and wickedness in the natural world. Every new day is an opportunity the unrepentant heart can use to turn to God and receive the gift of eternal life with Him.
As God’s children, we are to testify about the gifts He freely gives—both with believers and nonbelievers. We share with fellow because fellowship strengthens our shared faith. This is why Proverbs 27:17 declares: “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” And with nonbelievers so that our testimony may draw them to God. 1 Peter 3:15-16 instructs, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” We are God’s ambassadors, called to live righteously through Christ Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit, as living testimonies of the love of God.
Scriptures That Reveal God’s Work in Us
John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
John 16:13
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
A Prayer to Walk in the Spirit as a New Creation in Christ Jesus
Father God in Heaven, you have freely given me Your Spirit and the mind of Christ to guide and strengthen me. You knew evil forces would tempt my weak flesh, so You strengthened my spirit through Yours. You knew my natural mind would cause me to stumble, yet through Christ I will not fall. While I may be judged by others according to my foolish past, You only see the new creation You have made. I am forever grateful that Your ways are higher than worldly ways, and Your understanding is not that of mankind. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Trinitarian Benediction
As you walk among the fallen, may you see yourself as God sees you.
May your thoughts rest in Christ Jesus making every step steady.
And may the Holy Spirit be your guiding light, overcoming all darkness.