Author: Gary Witcher

Word of God: Received, Spoken, Known

	Not that many years ago, the majority of people claiming to be Christians recognized the authority of the inspired Word of God.  They often disagreed on how this Word should be understood or applied, but they at least acknowledged the divine source of inspiration.  But is the situation still the same?  Is the divine inspiration of the Bible still accepted?
	"Now we have received," Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, "not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual {thoughts} with spiritual {words.}  But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.  But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.  For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
	Notice what Paul says about the Bible.  Notice what he says about how the Word of God is received, spoken and known.  How has the Bible been received?  Paul explains in verse 12 that the inspired writers have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit who is from God.  This is good, since the spirit of this world does not reveal; it veils.
	"And even if our gospel is veiled," Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, "it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
	The spirit of this world does not reveal.  It veils.  The Spirit from God, on the other hand, reveals that which the inspired writers have received.
	"And regard the patience of our Lord {to be} salvation;" 2 Peter 3:15 urges, "just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you."
	"Seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow," we read in 1 Peter 1:11. 
	The words recorded on the pages of the Bible have been received through the Spirit who is from God.  How has this word been transmitted?  Paul states in verse 13 that he and other inspired writers have spoken, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit.
	Contrary to ideas that are popular today, the Bible is not a collection of writings spoken in words taught by human wisdom.  The Bible does not contain the literary ramblings of a handful of men.  Why do people today want to turn the Bible into such a collection of human thoughts?  If the Bible is only words taught by human wisdom, then what is to stop people from subsequent generations from doing the same?  Why can't people today develop their own codes of moral conduct?
	We should be very glad that this is not the case.  We often think we are smarter than God, but a closer look reveals that we are not as great as we think.
	There are those, for example, who would define the only sin as "purposely harming another living creature."
	Although this may sound fine to some, it has some basic problems.  The first problem with this definition is that it is incorrect.  It is incorrect because God defines sin, and He does not define it this way.  Is it presumptuous to say that someone's definition of sin is wrong, or is it presumptuous to presume to define something that lies solely in God's domain?
	"For all that is in the world," 1 John 2:16 instructs, "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."
	This is one of God's definitions for sin.  It must then be one of our definitions for sin as well.  It is presumptuous for us to think otherwise. 
	But what about defining sin as only purposely harming another living creature?  The second problem with this definition is that it does not even hold a candle to the inspired instruction.
	"Therefore," we find in James 4:17, "to one who knows {the} right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin."
	Notice the difference?  Human wisdom says it is wrong to do harm.  Divine wisdom says it is wrong to not do right.
	The Bible does not contain words taught by human wisdom.
	"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart," James 3:14-16 cautions, "do not be arrogant and {so} lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing."
	Paul says that the things they speak are "not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual {thoughts} with spiritual {words.}" 
	"But know this first of all," 2 Peter 1:20-21 confirms, "that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
	The inspired pages of the Bible have been received, not from the spirit of this world, but from the Spirit who is from God.  They have been spoken, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit.

	The inspired pages of the Bible have been received, not from the spirit of this world, but from the Spirit who is from God.  They have been spoken, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit.  What about our part?  How are we to know or understand the contents of the Bible?  Paul says in verse 14 that "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised."  He adds in the next verse that "he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man."
	The natural man does not accept things of the Spirit who is from God. 
	"For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness," 1 Corinthians 1:18 explains, "but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
	The natural man does not accept things of the Spirit who is from God.  It is foolishness to him.
	"And I, brethren," Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, "could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ.  I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able {to receive it.} Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?  For when one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not {mere} men?"
	The natural man does not accept things of the Spirit who is from God.  It is foolishness to him.  In fact, he is not even able to understand it.
	What about the others?  What about those who are spiritual?  Paul says that the one who is spiritual appraises all things.
	"Now we have received," we have seen in 1 Corinthians 2:12, "not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God." 
	The one who is spiritual appraises all things because he is able to know the things freely given by God.
	"If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual," Paul advises in 1 Corinthians 14:37, "let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment."
	Take a look around and see which side you want to be on.  Do you want to follow something which has been received from the veiling spirit of this world, or something which has been received from the Spirit who is from God?  Do you want to listen to something that was spoken in words taught by human wisdom, or something which was taught by the Holy Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words?  Do you want to be a natural man or woman who does not accept the things of the Spirit of God because they appear to be foolishness, or one who is spiritual and appraises all things and knows all things freely given by God?  Do you want to follow human wisdom, or do you want to follow the truth and be set free?

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."