March 12
The Holy Spirit as teacher
1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 4-13, 15-16

KEY VERSE: 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. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Paul struggled to help the Corinthian Christians understand the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. He knew that what seems foolish to men may indeed be wisdom to God, and that we need the help of the Holy Spirit to discern the difference between God's wisdom and man's wisdom.

When only 80 percent of the church budget is subscribed in the annual stewardship drive, man's wisdom says the budget total must be cut back by 20 percent. But a man who is in tune with the Holy Spirit speaks up and says: "Where is our faith? Let us trust God for the balance and adopt the full budget. God will help us find new people and resources to meet our goal."

For 11 years I have watched that man lead our church forward by trusting God and refusing to depend on man's wisdom. We believe that this man sees "the big picture," and because he sees it, he is able to help others to see it and believe in it. The Holy Spirit is at work in him, giving him wisdom that inspires others to faith.

Is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit reserved for special persons? Not at all. The Spirit's wisdom is available to all who repent of their sins, trust Christ for a new life, and begin to open themselves to the inner teaching of the Spirit.

Our society is impressed with intellectualism, with brilliant people who are superior to common folks. But the greatest wisdom, God's wisdom, is available to all people who will humbly trust the Spirit to teach, lead, and guide them. Those who are willing to seek the mind of Christ may acquire wisdom that will astound the world because God's wisdom is greater than all earthly wisdom combined.

Facing challenges in your church or your personal life? Humble yourself before God. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you what to do, and be ready for He will surely begin to reveal to you the plan of God, step by step. Just remember to give God the glory. Man's wisdom would tempt you to take all the credit yourself!