A Simple Explanation for Everyday Life
Have you ever tried to talk about faith or spiritual experiences with someone, and they just didn’t get it? Maybe it seemed confusing or even pointless to them. That’s exactly what 1 Corinthians 2:14 talks about. The verse says, “Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit.”
What Does This Mean?
In everyday language, this verse is saying that if we only rely on our natural thinking—our brains, our logic, what we see and hear—we’re not able to “get” the deeper things about God. Spiritual truths can seem strange or foolish if we’re just looking at them from a human point of view.
It’s a bit like trying to listen to a radio station without tuning in to the right frequency. If you’re not tuned in, all you hear is static. In the same way, the things of God—the wisdom, the comfort, the guidance—are only received when our hearts and spirits are open to God’s Spirit. It’s not something you can figure out just by thinking harder or getting smarter.
How Do We Understand Spiritual Things?
According to the Bible, God shares his wisdom with us through his Spirit, not just through words or facts. The Spirit is like a light that turns on in our hearts, helping us see and understand things that don’t make sense otherwise. The apostles (Jesus’ first followers) didn’t use fancy words or clever speeches—they spoke in simple terms, but the truth they shared was powerful because the Holy Spirit guided them.
So, when we try to understand spiritual things with just our natural minds, it’s like reading a book in a language we don’t know. We need the Holy Spirit to “translate” and reveal what’s really being said.
Why Can’t Everyone Understand?
People who focus only on what’s physical or logical often miss out on spiritual insights. Pride, overthinking, or just being focused on “worldly wisdom” can actually block us from seeing what God wants to show us. Spiritual things are foreign territory to someone who isn’t plugged into the Spirit.
What’s the Privilege for Believers?
The amazing thing, according to this passage, is that Christians actually have access to the “mind of Christ”—God’s thoughts and wisdom—through the Holy Spirit. This is a big deal! It means believers can know what God wants, experience his power changing their lives, and bring hope, love, and good fruit into the world.
Revival and Reformation
When the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives, it brings revival—a fresh energy and passion for God—and reformation, which means deep, lasting change for the better. This isn’t just about rules or religion; it’s about real transformation that touches hearts and communities.
In Short
If spiritual things seem confusing, don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel that way when you’re just looking at life from a human level. But when you open your heart to God’s Spirit, you start to see and understand things that can truly change your life. That’s the promise in these verses: real wisdom, real change, and a real connection with God—all made possible by his Spirit.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 