SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. —I Corinthians 2:14

            The natural person is still dead in their trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1).   The natural person is blinded to the gospel (II Corinthians 4:4). The natural person thinks the gospel is foolishness (I Corinthians 1:18). But those who follow Jesus have been “made alive” (Ephesians 2:5). They have had “His light shine in (their) hearts to give (them) the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6) and understand the “power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). God has made them alive (Ephesians 2:5).

            Don’t be surprised at opposition to the gospel. There are those you can talk with. They will listen and then there are those who will actively oppose the Truth.   We still have great freedoms to preach the truth publicly in the United States. This is gradually changing. But there are brothers and sisters who are actively opposed in other nations to the point of physical persecution and even death.

            People who cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God react differently.   Some people can politely talk about Jesus. Others just do not want to talk about Jesus at all. Then there are those who are verbally abusive. I had a person respond to me with a string of profanity the other day, but he would not converse. Then there are those who threaten physical abuse and those who will carry that out.   All this happens because the natural person cannot accept the things of the Spirit of God.

            But then there are those whose heart God shines light into and they do understand and respond to the gospel. God spiritually helps them to understand. We just need to be faithful to carry the message to people and trust God to do the rest. He is the only One who can change a life, but we can surely be obedient to bring the life-changing message that He uses in a person’s life! Let us do our part and trust the Holy Spirit of God to do His part.   Yes, let us be faithful.

Dear Father I know how You caused the light of the gospel to impact my life. Now may I be faithful to bring that gospel to others and trust Your Holy Spirit to impact people for eternity. Yes, may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s4UblPViiI