They are Spiritually Discerned

"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." 1 Corinthians 2:14

For years I used the above verse to separate the believe from the unbeliever. However, over the course of the last few months especially, I have come to realize that any one of us can fall into a very natural way of thinking. We can miss out on revelation and live our lives based solely upon natural reason and logic. Paul is reminded the Church of his day, as well as us in our day, that the things of the Spirit of God can only be discerned and understood spiritually.

It's hard for some people to grasp this concept. Much of what they have been taught is a very natural faith. Reasoned out, applied, and carried through. We have a way to explain so many mysteries of the Father through very natural means. Apologetics has lead to this way of thinking. Learning how to reason, debate, and even argue the faith. But what is amazing to me about the Gospel is that it is foolish to the Greek and a stumbling block to the Jew. For those who want to reason in the natural it makes absolutely no sense. Only through the Spirit of God can we even begin to grasp this kind of Good News.

As a believer there are some things that I take at face value. Things that don't require study, questioning, or reason to believe. Much less revelation. In other words, there were just some things that came with the package of believing. Areas where I needed to gain insight and revelation, the Holy Spirit awakened me to see and believe. Spiritual Gifts, Healing, the Finished Work of Christ are some of those things. Areas of faith that I could have easily dismissed, neglected, and even walk away from. Thankfully, the Lord has always seen fit to open my eyes.

The point of what Paul was saying (I believe) is that each of us can fall into a natural way of thinking. We know how to use our carnal reasoning. If something doesn't fit - we reject it. If it doesn't "feel" right - we ignore it or fight against it. I'm okay with logic and reason as long as it is fueled by revelation and aided by the Spirit. Just like the Early Church, we need people who are sensing what the Lord is doing in our day. We need to discover Him for ourselves and for this time.

This journey is all about learning to spiritually discern every area of life. We are learning to know our Heavenly Father, perceive and see Him, find and discern Him wherever the course of life may take us. It's one of the reasons that our "walk with the Lord" doesn't always look the same. The Lord reveal things differently to each of us. He teaches us how to hear His voice, see His activity, and sense His direction. Not only are our individual journeys different, we are all at different places. The beauty of the Church is to discover oneness and with-ness in the midst of it all. We are all receiving revelation. We are all learning and sharing with one another.

Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!
This statement by Jesus was not meant to prepare us for Heaven. It was meant as an awakening to the reality that was upon us. The only way that we will see it is by changing the way we think. To stop living our of logic and reason. To allow the Spirit of God to frame our lives around and within the abiding Kingdom. Aided by the Spirit, we can see this Kingdom manifest in our daily lives and become a part of its advancement in the Earth.

May our eyes be open.
May our hearts be sensitive.
May our minds be adjusted to think His thoughts.
And may His Kingdom Come, His will be done, one Earth as it is in Heaven.