For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:11-16
My words…
Praise
Father, meditating on and praying through Your Holy Spirit feeds my spirit like a withered plant soaking in rain and sunshine. Your Spirit has been teaching me how to spiritually evaluate events, conversations, relationships, successes, failures, work, attitudes – in short, my life. I am learning to see life through a spiritual lens, and it has changed me. Many times I have found answers to questions and gained a tiny measure of wisdom. Sometimes I come away with more questions, but that’s all right. The “question path” leads to growth (something I learned from Your Spirit). My spiritual conversations with You are intense and invasive, for You know my every thought and action, even those I have long forgotten. My conversations with everyone else are naturally handicapped, not every thought and intent are bared. It is the spiritual facet of my life that feeds me physically, mentally, and emotionally. What is spiritual trumps everything else. Without You, I would not have access to Your spirit-sustaining unseen classroom.
Prayer for me
Lord, I desire to continue on our spiritual path together toward my ongoing goal of gaining not the wisdom of man, but Your wisdom. I crave learning about spiritual truths born from spiritual thinking. I pray that when I learn from You something that challenges me to change that I will not ignore You or defer Your lesson to a later date.
Forgive me
Forgive me for giving in to temptations that draw me away from time spent with You. You know how good I am at creating excuses and justifications for why I would rather squander my time. A terrible, inexcusable weakness but one that You forgive. Hallelujah!
Prayer for others
Father, today I pray for those who do not welcome what comes from Your spirit; in fact, they are repulsed by it. They view what is spiritual as foolishness. How their lives would change if they accepted what they cannot see as real and purifying and saving. They have built a stone wall around their hearts. Break it down, Lord! Can this world have too many spiritually-minded people?
Thank You
How grateful I am that You make Yourself known to me each day. It doesn’t matter at all that I cannot see Your face. How distracted I would be! We walk on the unseen path of righteousness and You teach me spiritual truths. And when I am attacked or weary or doubtful, Your Spirit is there to refresh mine. Since You know my heart, You know how grateful I am.
More praise
How wonderful to have 24 hour-a-day access to the wisest, most loving One who reigns in the heavens, knows me better than I know myself, and loves me more than I have the capacity to understand. I lift You up, oh my God!
