Strength through the Spirit

Paul makes it clear he was weakened and fearful when he first taught the Corinthians. Maybe this was because of fleeing persecution in Thessalonica and his resulting anxiety for the church there. Whatever the reason for his weakened state, Paul points out to the Corinthians that he did not teach them using “human” wisdom. This is interesting. It's clear from his writings in the BIble, Paul was very learned for his time. Also, as a Pharisee, he rigorously trained in  the Old Testament. He could have brought both of those qualifications to bear with the Corinthians. Paul is not arguing against knowledge or study. He clearly understood the value of study. Instead, Paul says the power of his message came from the circumstances that demonstrated a higher purpose (the Holy Spirit) at work. 

When I was a little girl, I spoke with a stutter. I was not able to share my thoughts clearly. It was frustrating and caused me to be very reserved. It complicated learning to read and so I believed I was not smart. Around 2nd grade, my speech and reading improved a great deal and people began to tell me I was smart. I had not suddenly become intelligent. It is just that my lack of speech created a barrier between myself and others.  The only way to know another person's mind is through communication.

Paul makes a similar case to the Corinthians. Without the Holy Spirit, it is very difficult to understand the message of Christ. In fact, other places in the Bible tell us it is impossible. Even when we have the Holy Spirit, our pride and short-sightedness can make it difficult to connect to God's wisdom. Due to my early experiences and my nature, I tend to think if I have enough knowledge or if I have the right words or clever arguments, I will be able to win people over for Christ. I can think studying the Bible more deeply or understanding the original language can make my words more powerful (not that it hurts!).These tendencies can cause me to withdraw, be reserved or insecure because I am busy trying to think up something that sounds brilliant! And when I do think I'm brilliant, it can hinder deeper understanding and love. Either kind of thinking separates me from others because it shifts my focus away from Jesus. It makes it all about me. It seems the Corinthians had a similar problem. They had forgotten that it is the Holy Spirit that convicts people and brings clarity regarding the truth about God.  It seems they did not realize that this was power behind their own conversion.

Paul explains that it is the Holy Spirit that acts as a conduit between the mind of God and our own minds. V 10-11 “...these things God has revealed to use through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” I love this! I get to carry part of God’s spirit within me, which can help me to understand and know God, himself. I do not have to worry at all about having the right words. I am reminded of what Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10. It will not be the cleverness of my words or the depth of my understanding that  wins people over to Christ. Paul makes clear it is sometimes an apparent weakness that demonstrates Christ so powerfully. It is all the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

I am reminded that life as a disciple is a partnership with God. God gave us the Holy Spirit to help us in the present. Recognizing the role of the Holy Spirit in my life and the lives of others is so important. When Paul speaks of maturity in v 6, this is the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot mature in faith without him. The Holy Spirit protects us from the sting of rejection when it seems evangelism hasn't gone well or when brothers and sisters walk away from fellowship. He instructs me to recognize my pride by helping me see how I am not like God. He is the conduit for God's love as he supernaturally works through personal circumstances. He is a living connection between myself and other disciples. I need to engage with the Holy Spirit daily so I can understand the mind of God, keep in step with His bigger purpose, and recognize opportunities to be a light.  

Life with God is so exciting! How are you engaging with the Holy Spirit daily?