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 Corinthian 2:13-16
When we think about the mind of Christ, it seems like many look at Jesus’ behavior and draw conclusions on Christ’s mind. For me, His mind goes to the root of the many issues that challenge us. How do we handle delays, rejection, stress, fear, disappointment, etc? Those are the things that impact our walk with the Lord, how we see life, and how we interact with each other.
The above passage tells us a couple of things about those who have the mind of Christ. First, they have the wisdom of the Spirit and recognize the foolishness of the natural man. This truth seems simple, but it is really not that simple. We may recognize and see the foolishness of man in other people, but it’s not that easy to see it in our own lives.
Have you ever found yourself more in agreement with an unbeliever or identifying with their way of handling things? Can we truly recognize when those things that we think, feel, or act upon are led by our natural man!?
Many people like to skirt that issue by claiming that they prayed about it as if prayer turns something that is carnal into spiritual. If we listened to our prayers from an objective point of view, I think, we will find many of our prayers are focused on the natural realm and the things that at the moment seem very important. Obviously, God cares about all our needs, but Jesus also told us not to worry about our food and clothing. So somehow we place a greater priority about natural things than spiritual things.
The above passage also tells us that we have a good spiritual judgement. When we have good judgement, we are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, and we don’t get excited about every popular preacher, doctrine, or book. We patiently take our time to get to know the person and not allow the emotions of the moment to push us in a certain direction or compel us to make a determination right away.
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. John 16:31-32
Jesus was not moved by people’s positive or negative emotions for He had judged them rightly. He knew what was in man. As a result, He did not surrender Himself to their opinion. He also was not disappointed or crushed by their lack of approval.
Are we a good judge of people!? Or do we get enamored by people based on their popularity and/or accomplishment!? If we choose to take our time and watch a person, I believe, God will give us spiritual understanding about them, their maturity level, and their capacity for healthy relationships. Then we adjust our expectations based on what we see rather than what we hope or expect it to be. Jesus’ sound spiritual judgment protected Him and His mind, and it will also protect us!
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