October 26: The Spirit Provides Wisdom

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

On the way to Gethsemane with His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus expounded on the role of the Holy Spirit Whom the Father would send (John 14:16). Among other responsibilities Jesus assigned to the Spirit were two that pertain to our study today. The Spirit of truth (v. 17) would teach them "all things" (v. 26) and would testify concerning Jesus (15:26). The verses in 1 Corinthians provide a glimpse into the Spirit’s ministry in which He interacts with the Father and Son.

• First, the Spirit explains the meaning of God’s testimony (vv. 1-5). The NIV calls this the "account" about God. In either translation, the testimony centers around the Person of Jesus, Who He is, His crucifixion, and what He did. The Person and work of Christ provide an insight into the Godhead. We put our trust in a living Being, not doctrine or creedal statement, as valuable as these are in expressing what we believe.

In his preaching, Paul distinguished between the language of the preacher and the Person of the message. The bearers knew the message was true and not just a demonstration of a flowery sermon because of the impact of the message in their lives. The miracles and transformed lives verified the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Second, the Holy Spirit reveals God’s mystery (vv. 6-9). The NIV translates the phrase as the mystery about God (v. 1). The word mystery as used in the New Testament refers to a truth concealed in the Old Testament era but now unveiled in its meaning. The Bible goes back to Isaiah 64:4 to show the continuity of the revelation in Christ with one of Israel’s greatest prophets. The prophet had prayed for a supernatural act of God in which the heavens opened for God to come down (v. 1) to show Himself among His adversaries (v. 2). When the moment in history arrived, it would consist of such surpassing glory that it would be understood only by believers (v. 4).

Preachers of the New Testament era realized the prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. The princes of both Israel and Rome, glorying in their own wisdom, never understood the enormity of their crime when they killed Jesus. They crucified the Lord of Glory (v. 8).

• Third, we trust the leadership and wisdom of the Spirit because He reveals the deep things of God (vv. 10-13). The Spirit, co-equal with God the Father but indwelling believers, plumbs the depth of God for us (v. 10). Just as we understand ourselves through our spiritual nature, even so does the Spirit resonate within our spirit to unveil the will of God for us.

Knowing God’s purposes for the world, the writers of the New Testament infallibly wrote the truths freely given to them (v. 13). How else could we ever know the mind of Christ? In a practical sense any denomination which elevates the "spiritual understanding of the community" contrary to the truths of the Bible abandons all hope for arriving at an objective standard by which to judge what is true.

• Fourth, the Spirit of God helps seekers discern God’s truth (vv. 14-16). This section opens with the sobering observation about the unconverted people’s lack of understanding of what the Spirit teaches about God (v. 14). They deem the Good News to be foolishness, unworthy of their being bothered.

On the other hand those receiving Christ as Savior, the spiritual, find themselves on a new level of understanding. Being spiritual, the Holy Spirit enables them to separate the desires of the flesh from the purposes of God. They gain an understanding of the mind of Christ (v. 16).