Tuesday
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Why would Paul begin this part of his letter by saying that he doesn’t want the Corinthian Christians to be ignorant about spiritual gifts? Apparently they were ignorant, or at least there was some confusion about this issue. In fact, many NT scholars think that Paul is probably responding to some specific questions of the Corinthian church about spiritual gifts. While we don’t know the exact questions, we do know that the Corinthian Christians were exceptionally gifted (1 Cor. 1:5-7) and yet at the same time one of the most divided and carnal churches in the New Testament. So, it may have been that they were confusing particular spiritual gifts as a sign of their spiritual superiority. Whatever the case, Paul says, “Hey look, you are not getting this, so let me make it clear to you.”
There are two other places where Paul uses similar language about things he does not want Christians to be ignorant of. In the book of Romans, he says don't be ignorant of God's plan for Israel (Romans 11:25). In 1 Thessalonians, Paul says not to be ignorant about the second coming of Jesus (1 Thess. 4:13).
Ironically, many Christians are still confused and ignorant on these exact points today! Let’s face it, there are many things that we are ignorant about when it comes to God. Some things we simply cannot know or understand on this side of eternity because our finite minds are limited. However, just because we cannot know everything, does not mean that we cannot know anything! This is why Paul says that he does not want us to be ignorant, he wants us to be clear about those things which God has made clear. It is all too easy for us to bring our materialistic and/or superstitious views into our understanding of spiritual truth. I have known many people who become Christians and attempt to import some of their old beliefs or ways of thinking into their understanding of the Gospel. This is very dangerous, because it can slowly and subtly lead us further and further away from the center of Biblical truth. This is why Paul reminds the Corinthians about their pagan past. He says they were “led astray”, in other words, they cannot understand spiritual gifts on their own.
This might sound kind of obvious or simple, but we cannot understand the things of the Spirit without the Spirit. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. – 1 Corinthians 2:14
At the end of this passage, Paul gives us the key to discerning true spiritual gifts.
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
– 1 Corinthians 12:3
Paul lays down for us a broad principle for discerning matters regarding spiritual gifts: judge things by how they relate to Jesus Christ. Does a supposed spiritual gift glorify Jesus? This is the ultimate test. Does it bring attention to Jesus or to man? Does it promote the true Jesus, or a false one?
Jesus made it plain, saying that when the Holy Spirit would come, He will testify of Me (John 15:26), and He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and make it known to you (John 16:14). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not to promote Himself or any man, but to glorify and represent Jesus.
Jeff Frazier
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