What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

At this point in his letter Paul has been busy explaining to the Corinthian believers the wisdom of God. It is a wisdom that is counter cultural. It is a wisdom that finds power and new life through the way of the cross. Paul is seeking to shed light on the wisdom of God, and in doing so, he acknowledges that it is a wisdom that comes from the Spirit of God as opposed to the spirit of the world. So what is Paul saying? He is saying that Jesus' people, the true people of the messiah, are Spirit people. That is, it is only "by the Spirit of God" that we can discern the wisdom of God.

So what does that Spirit do? Firstly he teaches us to know the truthfulness of the wisdom of God and secondly and very importantly; he makes known to us all that belongs to us through the messiah- what God has freely given to us. It is very important to God that we know who we are in Christ, adopted children of God set apart for God's good purposes. It is through the presence of the Holy Spirit that such things are discerned and truly known in heart and mind. This of course, is reason for humility. Our faith is a gift from God. Any "true wisdom," that we might have, is found in God- and in him alone. This means that we ought not stand in judgement of those who do not discern the wisdom of God. But rather we pray to the Father, with faith and in humility that he might bring his light to bear upon others, that they might know him and comprehend the wisdom of God. Let us be thankful to God for his Spirit in us and let us faithfully and humbly pray that he might open blind eyes to the wisdom and power of God.

Grace and peace from Marcus