Receiving from the Spirit

"But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means." 1 Corinthians 2:14 {NLT}

There is nothing quite as difficult as trying to understand spiritual truth with the natural mind. In fact, it is impossible. Logic - the area from which most of humanity operates cannot grasp the ability, power, and moves of the Holy Spirit. Logically, we want to contextualize the work of the Spirit. We would love to have a handle on how He speaks, how He prompts us, and what He's going to do next. However, trying to box in the work of the Spirit only limits Him.

Paul made it very clear to the church at Corinth that anyone not operating in the Spirit of God (those who are not spiritual) will never understand the truth that God wants to bring forth. God is continually revealing His hidden wisdom to those who are willing to receive it (Go to 1 Corinthians 2 if you need a scriptural reference). The question is whether or not we truly want to operate that way.

Here's why we struggle in this area:

It's Frustrating - the natural man is more natural. That is why it is much easier to function in the natural. Trying to function in the spiritual from a natural prospective will only leave us frustrated.

It's Useless - remember the religious men who tried to cast out demons in the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches? They were overtaken. The reason why they were overtaken was because they lacked the Spirit of God at work in their own lives. They were simply operating out of hear-say. This is one of the most dangerous things that we see in the church today. We know the verbiage but we lack the power of the Spirit at work. Not only can we not receive the things of the Spirit, we can't release it either.

It's Presumptuous - While I believe each of us were created to live in a spiritual reality, not all of us do. Failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate in the Spirit gives us the idea that we can do it all in our natural ability. When God begins to move in a person's life, He does enhance natural ability. But He also gives us supernatural ability to walk in the things that He has ordained.

How do we change this?

Ask - It is that simple. God wants to reveal Himself to you.
Seek - The truth that you are looking for doesn't always show up at your door. You have to seek it out.
Knock - Jesus promised us open doors.

If you and I are willing to get before the Lord and seek His face, He will meet with us. It's not about your spirituality. It's not about you own ability. It's simply about us making ourselves available to Him. If we are willing to be empty vessels that God can pour into then He will pour into us.