THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Devotion 14 of 15

THE DISCERNING QUALITIES OF A SPIRITUAL RELIGION

Allow me to pursue the matter of discernment. Here is an aspect of religion that we cannot afford to be without. If our adversary is cunning and crafty, he can only be overcome within a framework of discernment and perception.

The Corinthians were caught up in soulish religion. Their conduct in their assemblies confirmed this to be the case, as well as their failure to rid themselves of moral defilement. In the second chapter of First Corinthians, Paul comes to grips with the root of their problem. His words are appropriate for our day and time.

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, 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" (1 Cor 2:11-15, NASB).

The "spiritual man" is thus distinguished from the "natural man." Some imagine that the "spiritual man" is the inspired man (i.e., the Apostle), while the "natural man" is the uninspired man. Such a view offers more disadvantages than advantages! The Spirit admonishes those that are "spiritual" to restore those caught in a trespass (Gal 6:1). The very notion that this means an "inspired man," is unworthy to be entertained by novice or elder! Paul told the Corinthians he could not speak to them as "unto spiritual, but as to men in he flesh" (1 Cor 3:1, NASB). Did he mean he could not address them as Apostles, or "inspired men?" What is even more, "the natural man" is said to be incapable of receiving the things of the Spirit of God--not because he is uninspired, but because such things are foolish to him, cannot be understood by him, and cannot be appraised by him. It requires an unusually imaginative mind to suppose that is everyone but the Apostles, or inspired men.

A "spiritual man" is a person possessing and being directed by the Holy Spirit of God. It is the person that has risen above the limitations of Adam, and is walking "in the light." This is the person possessing a spiritual religion. He occupies a domain that governs the soul and the body. He is not limited by the soul, and certainly not by the body.

But what does all of this have to do with our approach to life with God? Forever settle it in your mind that academic acumen, however advanced, cannot give you the advantage in the kingdom of God! This does not require you to despise disciplined thinking and true scholarship. It does mean those wells do not go deep enough to bring you closer to God or the truth of God closer to you. The reason for this limitation is simply this: those are areas of the soul, not the spirit! They can be sanctified in the energy of an enlightened spirit, but only so! Even then, however, they remain vastly inferior to faith and cannot produce spiritual discernment.

I realize this is difficult for some to receive. Notwithstanding, it is something that must be said. The "wisdom of this world," even when it focuses on Biblical studies and diagnosis, is still foolishness with God. Faith does not sanctify the world's wisdom. Rather, it brings a superior form of reasoning that rests implicitly upon Divine utterance, and brings understanding and confidence to the heart. Such understanding is of a higher order--"spiritual understanding"--and comes from God alone. Thus Paul said he did "not cease to pray . . . and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:9-10).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ I thank You for the ability to understand Yourself, Your Son, and Your Word. Such marvelous discernment brings with it both joy and confidence, which I so sorely need.

-- TOMORROW: DISCERNING ALL THINGS --
-- MONDAY, New Series: THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL --