As the wisdom of the world changes with the direction of the wind, the wisdom of God is concretely rooted in the work of Jesus Christ and the cross. We have been given two sources to help us understand and apply this wisdom. First, we have been given God’s Word. God’s Word gives us the ability to “discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart” in light of the way God desires us to position our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). His Word also equips us and gives us a guidepost for how to live our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).
Secondly, God has given us Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. Though we cannot physically see Him, Jesus promised that those who believe in Him by faith will have the Holy Spirit with them (John 14:16-17). In the same teaching, Jesus would say that the Holy Spirit would “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the guide and helper for the believer to understand what God says through His Word and internalize it so that it may shape their thoughts and actions.
In 1 Corinthians 2:11-13, the apostle Paul gives a synopsis of the Holy Spirit and His role of providing wisdom to the believer. The Holy Spirit provides wisdom from God that contrasts the wisdom given by humanity and the world around us. Because of this, it is important to be in constant communication and be aware/sensitive to The Spirit. Here is how the Holy Spirit provides us with wisdom:
The Holy Spirit
Compare and Contrast (1 Corinthians 2:11-12a)
Paul begins the passage by comparing and contrasting the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God. He says that “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.” No one knows us better than God, the One who created us, and ourselves. Outside of God, only we know our true selves–our aspirations, desires, feelings and motives. We know how we think, how we arrived at those thoughts, how we feel, and what brings those feelings along. However, those are always changing things. We have the tendency to change at the drop of a hat based on what we are feeling or what is going on around us. And we try to justify it. We try to make it sound more complicated than it is. That our struggles or experiences are somehow the first of their kind and a new wisdom must be pulled out of thin air because of it. But that’s not true. We have deceived ourselves, thinking we know what’s better for our lives than the One who created us.
This is not the case for the Spirit of God. He does not change. Jesus promised that after He ascended back to the Father, the Holy Spirit would come to be present with those who believe (John 14:16-17). He would come to free us from our sinful ways (Ephesians 2:1-2), be God’s presence with us until Jesus returns (John 14:18, 28-31), and guide us in all truth (John 16:13-14). The beginning of this work came true in Acts 2 at Pentecost, continued through the duration of when the New Testament was written, and continues to be the same today.
Comprehension and Communication (1 Corinthians 2:12b-13)
Paul goes on to say in the second part of verse 12 that the Spirit will help us in our understanding of “the things freely given us by God.” The Spirit is our teacher in helping us understand the wisdom God has given to us (John 14:26). He has come to help us understand what God has said in His Word and how it applies in our everyday lives.
In regard to wisdom, the Spirit helps us understand the ways of God (1 Corinthians 2:7). He helps us understand who God is and how He has planned to bring humanity into a relationship with Himself. The gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed through the cross, displays God’s wisdom and redemptive plan. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul was sent to the Gentiles in Corinth, to plainly preach the gospel so its power may be known (1 Corinthians 1:17, 2:1, 2:4).
Not only does the Holy Spirit help us comprehend the wisdom of God, but He also communicates it to us. 1 Corinthians 2:13 says that He interprets, “spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” In other words, the Spirit informs believers of what God is saying through His Word. He informs us of the identity of Christ according to His Word and what He desires for our lives (John 15:26).
Conclusion
If the Spirit is the teacher and guide, then we are called to be the student and do something with what He is saying. So, what steps should be taken? After all, knowing the wisdom of God and implementing it into day-to-day life are two different things. He calls us to action. This is why in his letter to the Galatian church, Paul prescribes the idea of “walking” with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18). Like two friends keeping pace with one another on a morning jog, Paul says that life in the Spirit requires us to walk in step with Him as we go about our day-to-day lives (Galatians 5:25-26). It is this kind of walking that allows us to experience wisdom, allowing the Spirit to take the lead in our lives.
So ask yourself, “what is ruling the day in my life?” What kind of wisdom is being exercised in your life? If it’s from the world or superficial, it’s deceptive and will fade. But if it’s spiritual wisdom, it’s a gift from our Guide and Teacher and will lead to spiritual growth in our relationship with Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16).
