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Particulars
of Christianity:
312
The Church Ethic
The Role
of the Holy Spirit (Part 4)
The Role of the Holy Spirit (Part
1)
The Role of the Holy Spirit (Part
2)
The Role of the Holy Spirit (Part
3)
The Role of the Holy Spirit (Part
4)
Discerning
Things Spiritually
Construct No. 9: Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
In modern times, the phrase "spiritual things are spiritually
discerned" has in some circles been taken as synonymous for
the idea that doctrine and morals are learned through inner
feelings or leadings from the Hold Spirit as opposed to learning
spiritual truths through diligent study of the scriptures.
This phrase "spiritual things are spiritually discerned" is
lifted from 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3, which we will examine below.
1 Corinthians 2: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:
for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things
of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save
the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of
God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we
have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely
given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet
he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known
the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3: 1 And I,
brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but
as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto
ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is
among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not
carnal, and walk as men?
The key to using this passage to support the modern doctrine
of being led by inner feelings or impressions from the Holy
Spirit comes by way of equating the phrases "man's wisdom"
and "natural man" or "carnal man" with human reason and a
verse by verse logical analysis of scripture. But, if these
phrases do not refer to reason and logical analysis, then
there is no reason to suppose that this passage favors the
idea of the Holy Spirit leading us in ways that circumvent
reason and diligent study.
One essential point is that in this passage Paul is most certainly
contrasting the "natural man" or "carnal man" who speaks and
learns using "man's wisdom" to the "spiritual man" who "discerns
spiritually." So, this entire investigation is summed up by
deciphering what Paul means by a "spiritual man?"
Fortunately, our examination of previous passages earlier
in this study will help us greatly as we examine this passage.
First, we will take note of some key words and concepts used
by Paul in this passage.
In chapter 2:13, Paul speaks of things that are taught by
the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2-3, Paul contrasts the
natural or carnal man with the spiritual man. Likewise, Paul
contrasts man's wisdom with the idea of "spiritually discerning."
Additionally, in chapter 3:1, Paul contrasts being "spiritual"
with being "carnal." And finally, in verses 1-2 of chapter
3, Paul associates being carnal with being babes who walk
as men and are unable to be fed with meat. In contrast, Paul
also associates being "spiritual" with being mature, able
to eat meat, and walking not as men but walking after the
Spirit of God.
We find all of these concepts in John 14-16 and 1 John 2:14-27,
which we examined during Constructs Nos. 7 and 8, in Romans
8:1-4, which we examined during Construct No. 5, and in Hebrews
5:11-6:3, which we examined during Constructs Nos. 7 and 8.
During Constructs Nos. 7 and 8, we discussed exactly how the
Holy Spirit teaches us by speaking only what he hears, not
things of himself but reminding us of the teachings of Jesus
Christ. From our examination of those passages during Constructs
Nos. 7 and 8, we know that Paul's use of the phrase "things
taught by the Spirit" here in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 does not
refer to the Holy Spirit showing us which doctrines or truths
are correct through inner feelings or impressions. Instead,
the phrase "things taught by the Holy Spirit" is simply Paul's
reference back to Jesus' own instructions regarding how the
Holy Spirit would teach Christians, which originates back
in John 14-16. As such, Paul's reference to things taught
by the Holy Spirit in NO way alters the manner in which Jesus
described the Holy Spirit would teach us - namely, by reminding
us of what Jesus' has already taught on these subjects and
helping us to understand that teaching.
Consequently, nothing about the phrase "things taught by the
Spirit" in 1 Corinthians 2:13 adds any support to the doctrine
of being led in a manner apart from the application of reason
and logical analysis of scriptures and instead by means of
inner feelings or impressions from the Holy Spirit.
And as we have pointed out above, in 1 Corinthians 2-3, Paul
contrasts the natural or carnal man with the spiritual man.
Likewise, Paul contrasts man's wisdom with the idea of "spiritually
discerning." Additionally, in chapter 3:1, Paul contrasts
being "spiritual" with being "carnal." We found these same
things addressed by Paul in Romans 8, which we examined during
Construct No. 5.
Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the
law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do,
in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned
sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might
be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the
Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot
please God.
Paul's comments here in Romans 8 are very similar to his comments
in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3. In Romans 8:7-8, Paul says that
the carnal mind cannot do the things of God and cannot please
God because it is at enmity with God. In 1 Corinthians 2:14,
Paul likewise states that the "natural man" or "carnal man"
cannot receive the things of the Spirit for they are foolishness
to him. And, in Romans 8:6, Paul contrasts being "carnally
minded" with being "spiritually minded." Likewise, in 1 Corinthians
2:14-15, Paul contrasts the "natural man" with "he that is
spiritual" who "spiritually discerns." Paul even uses the
terms "carnal" and "spiritual" in this same contrasting manner
during 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3. It is clear that Paul has the
same ideas in mind here in both passages.
Our article series on Christian Liberty as well as portions
of our article series on the Redemption establish what Paul
means by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus here
in Romans 8. For the sake of time and efficiency, we will
not restate those arguments here. Instead, we will only state
the conclusions along with the recommendation that readers
first visit those articles if they have questions about these
conclusions.
In summary, by comparing the relevant New Testament passages
we can see that the Law of Christ was known by various synonyms
in the New Testament. It is called "the law of liberty" by
James in James 1:25 and James 2:12. It is also called "the
royal law" by James in James 2:8. It is called "the Law of
Christ" by Paul in Galatians 6:2. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, Paul
states that where the Spirit of God is there is liberty. And
so, here in Romans 8:2, it is called the "Law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus, which has see us FREE." Furthermore,
we know from the words of both Jesus and Paul (Matthew 22:36-40,
Mark 12:28-31, Romans 13:8-10) that the Law of Christ involved
2 commandments and that these 2 commandments contained within
themselves all of the 10 commandments except for the command
to keep the seventh day of the week (the Sabbath.)
Rather than indicating that the Holy Spirit leads us through
some inner feeling or impression, Romans 8 is plainly stating
that when we follow after obedience to the Law of life in
Christ Jesus (the Law of Christ, Law of Liberty), that we
are following after the Spirit rather than after the flesh.
Conversely, if we follow after the Spirit by obeying the Law
of Christ, then those who are obeying the Law of Christ are
being led by the Spirit since it is the Spirit they follow
after by obeying Christ.
By contrast, in Romans 8:5-8, those who are not following
after obedience to the Law of Christ Jesus are carnally minded.
This is Paul's definition for the "natural man," which is
also know as the "carnal mind." And this is Paul's definition
for the "spiritual man" who is "spiritually minded" and, thus,
discerns things spiritually. As we can see, neither in Romans
8 nor in 1 Corinthians 2:9-33 do these terms refer to learning
what is true and false from inner feelings given by the Holy
Spirit. Nor do these terms in any way oppose the need to employ
reason and logical analysis to understand scripture and doctrine.
Paul is not stating that a person must rely on inner feelings
from the Holy Spirit to understand spiritual truths. Instead,
Paul is stating that a person who follows after the desires
of their flesh is carnally minded and will not be able to
understand the things of the Spirit because his sinful desires
will obstruct his view. Conversely, a person who pursues obedience
to the teachings of Christ Jesus will be able to understand
the things of the Spirit because, as Romans 8:13 teaches,
they are mortifying the desires of their sinful flesh, and
therefore their view is not obstructed.
And finally, we also noted that in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Paul
associates being carnal with being babes who walk as men and
are unable to be fed with meat. In contrast, Paul also associates
being "spiritual" with being mature, able to eat meat, and
walking not as men but walking after the Spirit of God. We
found these same things addressed by Paul in Hebrews 5:11-6:3,
which we examined during Constructs Nos. 7 and 8.
Hebrews 5: 11 Of whom we have many things to say,
and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have
need that one teach you again which be the first principles
of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need
of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth
milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he
is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that
are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go
on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the
doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will
we do, if God permit.
Here in Hebrews 5-6, Paul states that he has "many things
to say" but he cannot do so because his audience is still
in "need of milk, and not of strong meat," which indicates
that they are "babes" and not of "full age." Very similarly,
in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul states that he "could not speak"
to his audience "as unto spiritual" but instead he must speak
to them are "carnal, even as babes in Christ," who are still
in need of "milk, and not meat." Paul's language is identical
in these passages.
1 Corinthians 3: 1 And I, brethren, could not speak
unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as
unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk,
and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear
it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet
carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife,
and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
By comparing both passages we can see that Paul's point in
1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 is NOT that "discerning spiritually"
means that Christians should learn moral and doctrinal truths
by inner feelings or impressions from the Holy Spirit without
relying upon reason and logical analysis of scripture. Instead,
just as in Hebrews 5-6, in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 Paul's definition
of not being "spiritual" is being a babe, unskilled in the
Word of God.
Furthermore, during our examination of Constructs Nos. 7 and
8, we discussed the doctrine of "perfection" that Paul wishes
he could go on to teach about in Hebrews 5:11-6:3. In that
section, we discussed how "perfection" in the New Testament
is a reference to "maturity," or "full age" as Paul states
in Hebrews 5:14. In Hebrews 5:7-9, Paul was talking about
the character of Jesus Christ, how he endured even suffering
with faith and patience. But Paul has to stop talking about
developing the character of Christ Jesus because those in
his audience are still babes. Thus, foundational doctrine
ranging from repentance to eschatology is defined as milk
for babes and meat is defined as doctrines regarding character
development.
Consequently, by saying in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 that his
Corinthians audience are still carnal babes who are not spiritual,
Paul is saying that they have not developed mature understanding
of doctrine nor have they been able to develop godly character
and so they are still carnal. The result is that in 1 Corinthians
2:9-3:3, Paul is NOT saying that relying on reason or logical
analysis of scripture is the "natural man" or being "carnally
minded." Thus, Paul is not suggesting that reliance upon inner
feelings from the Holy Spirit is the God-given substitute
to reliance upon reason and logical analysis.
Instead, Paul is stating that when a person does not obey
the Law of Christ, they are still carnal. And as such, they
are not spiritual and so they cannot understand the things
of the Spirit because they follow after the desires of their
flesh. Thus, Paul's prerequisite for understanding spiritual
truths in 1 Corinthains 2:9-3:3 is not that one must listen
to inner feelings of some kind from the Holy Spirit instead
of using reason and analysis. Instead, Paul's prerequisite
for understanding spiritual truths in 1 Corinthains 2:9-3:3
is that one must not be pursuing the desires of the flesh,
which is what makes one carnal. As we have seen, 1 Corinthians
2:9-3:3 is very similar to his statements in Romans 8 in this
regard.
Additionally, such persons are not spiritual because they
are still babes who don't yet understand the fundamental teachings
of Christ as spoken of by Paul in Hebrews 6:1-3. Being babes
they are still carnal, because as Paul states in Hebrews 5:11-6:3,
understanding those basic doctrines provides the necessary
foundation that allows us to go on to perfection and maturity,
or "full age" in Christ so that we cease to be carnal.
Thus, as opposed to being "carnal," being "spiritual" in 1
Corinthians 2:9-3:3 refers to pursuing obedience to the Law
of Christ rather than the desires of the flesh. And furthermore,
"spiritually discerning" in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 refers to
those who learn the teachings of Christ as they pursue obedience
to the Law of Christ rather than those who fail to learn the
teachings of Christ because they do so while seeking to create
an ideology that will allow them to gratify the desires of
their flesh. The result is that in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3,
Paul is NOT saying that relying on reason or logical analysis
of scripture is the "natural man" or being "carnally minded."
And, Paul is not suggesting reliance upon inner feelings from
the Holy Spirit as the God-given substitute to reliance upon
reason and logical analysis of the scriptures.
Nothing in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 in any way defines relying
upon reason as "unspiritual." And nothing in 1 Corinthians
2:9-3:3 alters what we established in depth from John 14-16,
that the role of the Holy Spirit with regard to learning doctrine
is to remind us of what Jesus' has already taught on these
subjects and help us to understand that teaching. Effectively,
there is nothing in Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 2:9-33
that differs from what we've already established in our examinations
of Romans 8, John 14-16, and Hebrews 5-6 concerning the role
of the Holy Spirit. Nothing in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 even
remotely suggests that "discerning spiritual" refers to learning
by means of inner feelings from the Holy Spirit as opposed
to applying reason and logical analysis to the scripture.
As we said in the beginning of this section, the key to using
this passage to support the modern doctrine of being led by
inner feelings or impressions from the Holy Spirit comes by
way of equating the phrases "man's wisdom" and "natural man"
or "carnal man" with human reason and a verse by verse logical
analysis of scripture. But, as we have shown, these phrases
refer to pursuing the sinful desires of the flesh. They do
not refer to reason or logical analysis. And since these phrases
do not refer to reason and logical analysis, then there is
no reason to suppose that this passage favors the idea of
the Holy Spirit leading us in ways that circumvent reason
and diligent study. 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3 simply states that
a person will not be able to understand spiritual truths so
long as they are led by their sinful desires.
(NOTE: For more information about the how the New Testament
defines and describes the difference between being carnal
and spiritual, please visit our article series on Spiritual
Warfare.)
Conclusions
As we close, we would like to mention a few other thoughts,
which have not into previous sections. Particularly, we would
like to point out that we really lack any statements in the
New Testament where the Holy Spirit is specifically described
as leading someone through a feeling. What we have instead
is largely 2 categories. In the first category we have passages
such as Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1, which simply state that
the Holy Spirit led someone without providing any indication
of how this leading was accomplished. And in the second category
we have passages such as Acts 8:29 and 13:2 where the Holy
Spirit is depicted as saying specific words, even words that
a whole company of people here at out loud at once.
Because this is the case, we are inclined to interpret passages,
which do NOT specify how the Holy Spirit leads in light of
those passages, which DO specify that the Holy Spirit led
through clear statements that could be recorded for us word
for word. The result is that when we read a passage that does
not specify how the Holy Spirit led someone, we should assume
that the Holy Spirit is leading that person through clear
words, just as we have seen in the other passages. Since no
alternative form of leading is presented in the New Testament,
including inner feelings or impressions, the only indications
provided in the New Testament for how the Holy Spirit leads
are that he leads through words, which are so clear that they
can be written down word for word.
Furthermore, the use of the phrase "word of knowledge" and
"word of wisdom" with regard to spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians
12 strongly indicates that those two gifts manifest in the
form of words from the Holy Spirit, which could be recorded
clearly word for word. Because these 2 gifts are called "words,"
we cannot use the existence of these gifts in the New Testament
to support the idea of being led through feelings or impressions.
Additionally, the categorization of these 2 gifts as "words"
given by God through the Holy Spirit indicate that these gifts
were in operation in such passages as Acts 8:29, Acts 13:2
and Acts 16:6-7 where we see the Holy Spirit giving clear
directions. Since there is reason to believe that the knowledge
and wisdom given by the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:29, Acts 13:2
and Acts 16:6-7 ought to be considered instances of the "words
of wisdom" and "words of knowledge" spoken of in 1 Corinthians
12, such passages as Acts 8:29, Acts 13:2 and Acts 16:6-7
would not provide any support for the notion that the Holy
Spirit leads through inner feelings or impressions.
So, at long last we have arrived at an understand of the role
of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individual believers with
regard to moral behavior, doctrine, and the situations of
daily living. In our search through scripture, including our
investigation of passages commonly used to support the doctrine
that the Holy Spirit leads us through inward feelings and
impressions of one kind or another, we have found no trace
of such a doctrine. Instead of finding that the Holy Spirit
directs which doctrine, which behavior, which relationships,
and which situations or opportunities we should choose through
inner feelings and impressions, we have found the following
to be true.
As a result of our study on the Charismatic combined with
the specific context of passages about the gifts, we find
that passages about words of knowledge, words of wisdom, and
prophecy do not in any way support the doctrine that in modern
times the Holy Spirit leads Christians through inner feelings
and impressions. In the absence of the charismatic gifts,
we have no reason to suspect or believe or operate as though
the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom for specific situations
such as where to live, where to move, what job to take, or
who to marry, etc. by means of inner feelings or even direct
words, such as words of knowledge or words of wisdom. In fact,
even if these gifts were available today, we still would not
be able to expect the Holy Spirit to lead us through inner
feelings since no such concept is ever depicted in the New
Testament including in passages about the charismatic gifts.
Furthermore, we might add the following concerning the specific
issues and decisions in our individual lives in life that
the Bible does not address. Should I marry this person? Should
I move to this place or stay put? What career path should
I take? Should I take this job offer? Should I buy this house?
The Bible doesn't tell us what to do in these situations,
but it does give us all the information that we need to know
in order to make good decisions. As long as we make these
decisions in accord with the things that the Bible does teach,
God will be pleased and we will do well.
Should I marry this person? Are they a Christian? Do they
have sound doctrine? Have they been divorced? The Bible gives
us guidelines for making this decision and as long as we stay
within those guidelines, God has required nothing more of
us than to follow His Word. He does NOT require that we follow
His Word PLUS something else, which He hasn't specified in
His Word. Should we move to someplace else? What job should
we take? Well, will the move or the job distract you from
God's Word? As long as it won't distract us then we are free
to take it. God promises to meet our needs if we seek His
kingdom first. God does NOT require that we seek His kingdom
AND take the specific job that He hasn't told us about in
His Word.
The Bible may not tell us what choices to make in these types
of specific situations, but the Bible does tell us what criteria
to use when making the decision. And that is all God requires
of us, that we make choices that are in line with the requirements
of His Word. Our success in God's plan for our lives is a
matter of our obeying His Word. Our success in God's plan
for our lives is NOT a matter of our obeying His Word PLUS
a bunch of things that He hasn't said in His Word. The bottom
line is that God has already revealed to us in His Word everything
that He wants and requires of us to do. And beyond that, as
long as we abide by that and put God first, God has left the
specific choices up to us.
We have also found throughout the New Testament, starting
with Jesus' own instructions about the Holy Spirit throughout
the Gospel of John, that the role of the Holy Spirit is to
convince mankind about sin and to teach mankind about truth
by reminding men of the teachings of Jesus' Christ and helping
us to then understand those teachings. And we have shown that
throughout the New Testament this role of convincing men of
truth and sinfulness was first carried out by Jesus and then
after his ascension it was to be carried on by his disciples,
whom the Holy Spirit would help remember, help continue in,
and help testify about the teachings already proclaimed by
Christ Jesus.
So, rather than Christians being convicted from the Holy Spirit
through inner feelings or impressions instead of studying
scripture or being taught by one another, what we find is
that the role of the Holy Spirit was to help men teach the
Gospel to other men and that the means of teaching truth was
by referring back to the teachings of Jesus Christ as they
were originally taught. And rather than Christians being convicted
from the Holy Spirit through inner feelings or impressions
in areas where they have not studied or examined thoroughly,
what we find is that the role of the Holy Spirit was to remind
us, which implies that we have already been exposed to and
exposed ourselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Today,
the teachings of Jesus and how his apostles passed on those
exact teachings are recorded for us in the New Testament,
which makes the New Testament the primary means of our learning
truth.
Even the role that the Holy Spirit currently plays in our
lives is to remind us of what we've already heard and read
and studied in scripture so that we can put together the correct
understanding of the Word of God. That is the role of the
Holy Spirit, not to speak of Himself, but to say only what
He has heard and so to remind us of the teachings of Christ
now recorded for us in scripture and to help us understand
them as we learn them. And, if we struggle to understand or
to be disciplined while we study, we can pray for the Holy
Spirit to help us in this regard since that is his role. But
nowhere do we find any basis for thinking that the role of
the Holy Spirit is to show us which behaviors, which doctrine,
or which daily situations and relationships we ought to choose
through inner feelings or impressions.
Consequently, the result of our investigation is that the
Bible demands that Christians abide by a standard of truth
determination that is objective rather than subjective. The
moral behavior, doctrine, and even daily priorities and choices
that we make are determined by the standard of the Bible itself,
which is an objective standards since it exists outside the
mind and can be observed and evaluated by all persons. This
keeps us accountable to a standard that exists outside of
ourselves and beyond ourselves, the Bible. Conversely, the
moral behavior, doctrine, and even daily priorities and choices
that we make are not to be determined by the subjective standard
of feelings, impressions, or things of like kind that we experience
internally. As we have seen, the Bible gives no credence to
or direction toward such things.
And in closing, we have seen that all of the popular phrases
used to refer to and support doctrines about being led by
the Holy Spirit through inner feelings and impressions have
resulted merely from lifting specific phrases out of scripture,
removing them from their context, and deriving new doctrines
that have nothing to do with the author's intended meaning.
As such, even though the popular phrases used to support this
doctrine are derived from phrases that are found in scripture,
these doctrines themselves do not find any support from the
scriptures from which they are derived.
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