1 Corinthians 2:12 #2

“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.” (1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV). We enter this world spiritually dead and in Romans 3, Paul describes what we are like: “as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."” (Romans 3:10-18 ESV). Unless we are born again and the Holy Spirit dwells within us there appears to be no chance that we would seek God or have anything to do with him.

Since a spiritually dead person is unable, or unwilling, to seek God, God in his sovereignty decided, before the foundation of the world, who he would adopt as his children and sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross to purchase their salvation. These he caused to be born again and sent his Spirit to dwell within each of them. This brings us to our verse where the spirit of the world has been replaced by the Spirit who is from God in those who are his children. Having this Spirit who is from God, we are then able to understand the things freely given us by God. This Spirit from God interprets spiritual truths for us, giving us understand of them, proving us with the mind of Christ.

Prayer

Father, thank you for causing us to be born again and thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit to give us understanding of spiritual truths. Thank you for spiritual discernment that he provides us with, empowering us with the ability to navigate through life in a way that honors the Lord.