You read Scripture and think, this should make sense.
But sometimes it feels just out of reach. You get parts of it, but not all of it. You wonder if you’re missing something.
So you try to think harder. Study more. Piece it together on your own.
But what if the issue isn’t effort… but source?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:12 (KJV)
“We have received… the spirit which is of God”
Start with what’s already happened.
“We have received.”
Not maybe. Not someday.
If you’re in Christ, this is already true.
You didn’t earn the Spirit. You didn’t build up to it.
God gave Him.
That matters because it shifts the focus. You’re not trying to get access. You already have it.
Do you see that?
“Not the spirit of the world”
There’s a contrast here.
The world has its own way of thinking. Its own way of interpreting everything. Its own values.
And it feels normal because it’s everywhere.
But Paul is saying, that’s not what you’ve received.
So if you approach Scripture the same way the world approaches everything else… something will feel off.
Because you’re using the wrong lens.
That’s not what you expected, is it?
“That we might know”
This is the purpose.
The Spirit is given so you can know.
Not guess.
Not assume.
Know.
But this kind of knowing isn’t just information. It’s understanding that comes from God.
Because earlier in the chapter it says:
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…”
1 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV)
Revealed.
That means shown, not figured out alone.
“The things that are freely given to us of God”
This part is easy to miss.
Freely given.
Not earned. Not deserved. Not achieved by getting everything right.
Given.
That includes truth, understanding, and everything tied to what God has done in Christ.
So the Spirit isn’t just helping you understand deep concepts.
He’s helping you recognize what has already been given.
Do you see the difference?
What’s happening around this verse
Paul is explaining why some people don’t understand spiritual things.
Not because they’re unintelligent.
But because they’re approaching it without the Spirit.
He says:
“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God…”
1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
So the issue isn’t just study.
It’s whether the Spirit is involved.
That context matters.
This verse isn’t about intellectual ability. It’s about spiritual access.
Other places this connects
You see this again here:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”
John 16:13 (KJV)
The Spirit guides into truth.
And then:
“The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6 (KJV)
True understanding comes from God.
Not just human effort.
What’s really going on inside
Be honest.
You’ve leaned on your own understanding more than you realize.
You read something and try to make sense of it purely in your own strength.
And when it doesn’t click, you feel stuck or frustrated.
Do you feel that?
You want clarity.
But you keep defaulting to your own reasoning as the final authority.
Is that what’s been happening?
What this looks like in your life
This verse isn’t telling you to stop thinking.
It’s telling you not to rely on your thinking alone.
That means approaching Scripture with dependence, not just analysis.
That means asking God for understanding instead of assuming you already have it.
That means being open to correction when what you thought doesn’t line up with truth.
Simple, but not easy.
So here’s the question that matters.
When you read and don’t understand… do you push harder in your own strength, or pause and let the Spirit lead you into it?
Bringing it together
You have received the Spirit of God.
Not the spirit of the world.
He was given so you can know what God has freely given.
Not by guessing. Not by striving. But by revelation.
So here’s what lingers.
Are you trying to understand God on your own terms… or willing to depend on the Spirit who was given to show you the truth?
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
