(1 Cor 2:11-16)

One of the blessings of being a New Testament believer is the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The moment we repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. That truth has several implications, but one that believers quickly realize is that the words of Scripture take on new clarity and significance.

God has made Himself known to mankind through general revelation and special revelation. General revelation refers to God making Himself known through the created world.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (Rom. 1:20).

Special revelation refers to God’s personal communication with mankind. The Bible contains all of God’s special revelation that is available to us today.

The Bible is not like any other book. It contains spiritual truths. A person who has not believed in Christ does not have the Spirit, so he is not able to fully comprehend the truths of Scripture.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Cor. 2:14).

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God because He is God. The same Holy Spirit who indwells each believer helps us to understand Scripture.

…the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. …we have received… the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God… (1 Cor. 2:11-12).

The Holy Spirit illuminates the truths of God’s Word so we can understand His special revelation to us. God’s Word can then perform its work within us — teaching us about sin and godliness, revealing knowledge of God’s character, preparing us for service, explaining God’s past dealings with man, and revealing what lies ahead in the future.

God has spoken to mankind through the Scriptures and He has given His Spirit to believers so they can understand it. The author of Scripture lives within the believer to explain what He has written! That knowledge makes a tremendous difference in our lives. We are changed from the inside out.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17).

That’s something to be thankful for! The ministries of Indian Hills Community Church provide many opportunities to learn God’s Word. Get involved and let the Spirit teach you!