Gaining Greater Spiritual Perception (I Cor. 2:8-16)
Perception: To apprehend with the mind or through all of the senses; to observe, notice, understand all of the truth.
Illustration: Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and though, "He’s so big I can’t miss."
God Can Make It Happen (Victor).
Quote: If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.
Abraham Maslow quoted in Eating Problems for Breakfast by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1988, p. 54.
1. The Holy Spirit gives believers in Christ supernatural ability to understand what God has freely given to us. Paul wrote, "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." The Spirit gives us supernatural perception to discern spiritual truth, realities and insights that transcend human senses. The Holy Spirit enables us to see things that allow us to apprehend more of God’s truth through all of our natural and Spirit given senses. The Spirit of God renews, revives and reconfigures our thought processes as we have the midn of Christ.
Application: Thank the Lord for all of the free gifts you have received from God through the enabling of the Holy Spirit’s perceptiveness - you will be amazed!
Illustration:The Light That Brings Discomfort
In 1992 a lighthouse was built in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. This is one of the poorest areas in the world. The lighthouse was
constructed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus. 150,000 people were evicted from their homes in a shantytown to make room for it. The intensity of its light means that electricity is rationed throughout much of the city. The light that brings security for some brings discomfort for others.
Jesus, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is the light that brings revelation and security but also discomfort and suffering for himself and for others. This is the second point that Simeon makes about this Messiah that is different to the expectations of his day.
2. The Holy Spirit enlightens the eyes of the obedient to help them perceive what God has planned to accomplish through growing Christians. Jesus said, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21)
Illustration: Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and though, "He’s so big I can’t miss."
God Can Make It Happen (Victor).
Application: Ask the Lord to give you a clearer vision of what He is can do through your ministries.
3. The Holy Spirit clarifies confusing situations for those who are trusting God for clarification. Paul wrote, "God has revealed His wisdom to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." (I Cor. 2:10)
Illustration: A young couple rented a vacation cottage for a week. One afternoon the husband looked out a window at the swimming pool and exclaimed, "Let’s change our clothes and go get some exercise!" His wife, who was washing the dishes in the kitchen and looking out the window watching some people play tennis, quickly agreed. While she dressed for a tennis match, he put on his swimming trunks. The window a person chooses to look out at the world often determines that individual’s perception of reality.
Lyle Schaller, Activating the Passive Church, p. 19.
Application: Ask the Lord to give you a greater understanding of issues, people and problems that seem confusing.
4. The Holy Spirit guides trusting Christians to concentrate on God’s priority ministries. Paul wrote, "We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, or if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Cor. 2:7,8) Ask the Lord to help you be guided to invest your best resources, energies and abilities in the ministries that are reflective of God’s highest priorities.
5. The Holy Spirit helps Spirit filled believers clearly articulate wisdom to others. Paul wrote, "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." (I Cor. 2:13) Ask the Lord to help you express wisdom in clear, fluent and contextually relevant language for your audiences.
6. The Holy Spirit enables you to distinguish between true believers and counterfeits during your interactions. Paul wrote, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor. 2:14) Ask the Lord to help you grow in your ability to detect and identify any counterfeit believers who are yet to trust Christ as their Savior from all their sins.
7. The Holy Spirit increases a believers ability to make correct judgments. Paul wrote, "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things." (I Cor. 2:15) Ask the Lord to help you grow in your ability to make critical decisions based on the Spirit’s discernment.
8. The Holy Spirit frees you from being subject to other people’s judgments. Paul wrote, "But the spiritual man is not subject to any man’s judgment." (I Cor. 2:15) Refuse to get discouraged when other people try to judge you with their own faulty standards of judgment or perceptions.
Application: Remember that only God has all the facts. Only the Lord is able to perfectly judge without any partiality. When the great judgment day comes, each person will give account of their lives to the only God who is sovereignly able to judge with perfect omniscience. Do not fall into the temptation to try to play the role of God!
9. The Holy Spirit navigates you through the maize of life’s complex decisions, trials and situations. Jesus said, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will tell you what is to come." (John 16:13)
Application: Ask the Lord to help you follow every aspect of the Spirit’s navigation when you face complex decisions, trials and troubling situations.
10. The Holy Spirit helps us discern between all forms of good and evil. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their sense trained to discern good and evil." (Heb. 5:14)
Application: Ask the Lord to help you perceive clearly using all of your rational and intuitive senses.
11. The Holy Spirit gives instruction to those who are involved in helping to expand Christ kingdom and righteousness. Jesus said, "Do not worry like the pagans...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt. 6:33) Trust the Lord to give you everything you need to find greater perceptiveness through Christ, His kingdom and His righteousness.
Illustration: Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw mud, one saw stars.
Source Unknown.
12. The Holy Spirit helps you focus on the fields, people and ministries which are ripest for harvesting. Jesus said, "Do not say, Four months more and then the harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest." (John 4:35)
Illustration: In How Life Imitates the World Series, Dave Bosewell tells a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Sports fans will enjoy how he handled star Reggie Jackson.
Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset Jackson because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he could and could not steal off of. So one game he decided to steal without a sign.
He got a good jump off the pitcher and easily beat the throw to second base. As he shook the dirt off his uniform, Jackson smiled with delight, feeling he had vindicated his judgment to his manager.
Later Weaver took Jackson aside and explained why he hadn’t given the steal sign. First, the next batter was Lee May, his best power hitter other than Jackson. When Jackson stole second, first base was left open, so the other team walked May intentionally, taking the bat out of his hands.
Second, the following batter hadn’t been strong against that pitcher, so Weaver felt he had to send up a pinch hitter to try to drive in the men on base. That left Weaver without bench strength later in the game when he needed it.
The problem was, Jackson saw only his relationship to the pitcher and catcher. Weaver was watching the whole game. We, too, see only so far, but God sees the bigger picture. When he sends us a signal, it’s wise to obey, no matter what we may think WE know.
Marty Masten.
Application: Ask the Lord to help you to read, study and observe the examples of fruitful people who are realizing a thirty, sixty and hundredfold return on their ministry investments. (Mark 4:20) Trust the Lord for greater insight to maximize your contribution for eternity!
Conclusion:How Do You Look at It?
Illustration: A shoe manufacturer who decided to open the Congo market sent two salesmen to the undeveloped territory. One salesman cabled back: "Prospect here nil. No one wears shoes." The other salesman reported enthusiastically, "Market potential terrific! Everyone is barefooted and desparately needs shoes."
Prayer: Lord helps us perceive people in their spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needy condition.
Refresh Your Attitude – Eph. 4:23
1. Evil With Good
2. Worry With Faith
3. Despair With Hope
4. Hate With Love
5. Anger With Prayer
6. Weakness With Strength
7. Cynicism With Belief
8. Anxiety With Peace
9. Distress With Confidence
10. Defamation With Inspiration
11. Emptiness With Fulfillment
12. Meaninglessness With Purpose
13. Attacks With the Shield of Faith
14. Confusion With Clear Direction
15. Naivety With Wisdom
16. Loneliness With Companionship
17. Dismay With Encouragement
18. Hurt With Comfort
19. Loss With Consolation
20. Coldness With Affection
21. Extremism With Balance
22. Emptiness With Fulfillment
23. Disorganization with Organization
24. Impulsiveness With Carefulness
25. Impatience With Patience
26. Suffering With Joy
27. Fleshly Attitudes With Spirit Filled
28. Resignation With Determination
29. Insecurity with Security
30. Instability With Stability
31. Sorrow With Joy of the Lord
32. Jealousy With Contentment
33. Lust With Love for the Father
34. Tolerance for Evil with Hate for Evil
35. Harshness With Graciousness
36. Indiscipline w/ Discipline for godliness
37. Gloom With Cheerfulness
38. Poor Yet Making Many Rich
39. Persecuted But Rejoicing
40. Fear With Assurance
41. Anarchy With Order
42. Uncertainty With Certainty
43. Wandering With Direction
44. Aloofness With Affection
45. Arrogance With Humility
46. Stress With Self-Control
47. Darkness With Light
48. Complacency with Motivation
49. Boredom With Creativity
50. Resentment With Forgiveness
51. Prejudice With Acceptance
52. Strife With Conflict Resolution
53. Persecution With Blessings
54. Pessimism With Optimism
55. Sickness With Healing
56. Hostility With Friendliness
57. Harsh Words with Gentle Answers
58. Critical Spirit With Judge Not
59. Complaining With Appreciation
60. Murmuring With Thankfulness
61. Envy With Contentment
62. Inconsistency with Faithfulness
63. Ignorance With Knowledge
64. Gullibility With Discernment
65. Impatience With Patience
66. Disunity With Unity
67. Uncertainty With Certainty
68. Trouble With Triumph
69. Adversity With Prayerfulness
70. Exaggeration With Clarification
71. Tension With Relaxation
72. Dullness With Humor
73. Isolation with Friendliness
74. Enslavement With Freedom
75. Apathy With Commitment
76. Immaturity With Maturity
77. Problems With His Solutions
78. Secular With Spirit-Inspired
79. Pain With Comfort
80. Insecurity With Promises
81. Misunderstanding With Understanding
82. Rejection With Acceptance
83. Futility With Meaningfulness
84. Self-Condemnation With Respect
85. Low Self Esteem w/ Identity in Christ
86. Impurity With Holiness
