Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?" But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-16 NKJV).
When a person is saved, they become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new birth not only gives you a new standing in Christ’s righteousness, it also opens a new line of communication. The Holy Spirit indwells you and communicates God’s will to you. You have the mind of Christ.
This was necessary because the natural man, those without Christ, have no capacity to receive spiritually discerned truths. The things of the Spirit are foolishness to him. Therefore, it is no wonder that your Gospel message is often met with scorn.
Given how important this communication is, let us make every effort not to shut down or restrict that line of communication. How might you damage that line? You might damage it by grieving the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). What sort of things grieve the Holy Spirit? Paul continues: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJV). In other words, by unrepentant sin.
Another way you might restrict communication is by simply not plugging in. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD' (Matthew 4:4b). Remember what David said, Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Psalms 119:11 NKJV).
Therefore, do not forsake the blessing of communing with God. If you are, you are missing out on a vital aspect of your Christian walk. I leave you with Christ’s words on the subject.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15:1-5 NKJV).
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