In a world of wide-ranging opinions, I’m comforted knowing I dive into deep pools of truth whenever I open my Bible. But it’s not always easy to understand the Scriptures, and even more challenging to live them out. Fortunately, I’m not left alone.

Paul worked with the church in Corinth as they struggled with worldly wisdom versus Godly wisdom. He wanted them to understand that their faith didn’t rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Paul unpacked a remarkable teaching regarding the Holy Spirit. Those who embrace Jesus, who place our faith in him, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. God takes up residence within us. As a result, we now possess an ability, if we stay in tune with the Spirit, to discern truths given to us by the Lord.

Paul put it this way: Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

I like the way Eugene Peterson put it — we no longer have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. Instead, when contemplating life’s major issues, we consult the Scriptures and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. A deeper, truer, ability to discern the ways of God is available.

I’m quick to say that even in light of God’s gift of his Spirit, I often get things wrong. I don’t claim to speak in God’s voice. But I do know that I have a better chance at getting to the heart of a matter if I seek the truth through God’s Word and God’s Spirit, the foundations of a beautiful mind.

1 Corinthians 2

Photo by Norbert Kundrak