A DISCERNING MIND

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things . . . " (1 Corinthians 2:15)

JUDGMENT, OR DISCERNMENT, is an aspect of religion that we cannot afford to be without. If our adversary is cunning and crafty, he can only be overcome within a framework of discernment, judgment and perception. By "judgment," I mean the ability to distinguish between the lie and truth, evil and good, or what is from Satan and what is from God.

THE CORINTHIANS were caught up in soulish religion. Their conduct in their assemblies confirmed this to be the case, as well as their failure to rid themselves of moral defilement. In the second chapter of First Corinthians, Paul comes to grips with the root of their problem. His words are appropriate for our day and time."

FOR THOSE WHO AMONG MEN knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 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. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man" (1 Cor 2:11-15, NASB).

THE "SPIRITUAL MAN" is thus distinguished from the "natural man." Some imagine that the "spiritual man" is the inspired man, while the "natural man" is the uninspired man. Such a view offers more disadvantages than advantages! The Spirit admonishes those that are "spiritual" to restore those caught in a trespass (Gal 6:1). The very notion that this means an "inspired man," is unworthy to be entertained by novice or elder! Paul told the Corinthians he could not speak to them as "unto spiritual, but as to men in he flesh" (1 Cor 3:1, NASB). Did he mean he could not address them as Apostles, or "inspired men?"

A "SPIRITUAL MAN" is a person possessing and being directed by the Holy Spirit of God. It is the person who has risen above the limitations of Adam, and is walking "in the light." This is the person possessing a spiritual religion. He occupies a domain that governs the soul and the body. He is not limited by the soul, and certainly not by the body.

BUT WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS have to do with our approach to life with God? Forever settle it in your mind that academic acumen, however advanced, cannot give you the advantage in the kingdom of God! This does not require you to despise disciplined thinking and true scholarship. It does mean those wells do not go deep enough to bring you closer to God, or the truth of God closer to you. The reason for this limitation is simply this: those are areas of the soul, not the spirit! They can be sanctified in the energy of an enlightened spirit, but only so!

DISCERNING ALL THINGSThe Word of God proclaims the glorious advantages of life in the Son. As might be expected, they go far beyond the capacity of the most productive imagination.

"BUT HE THAT IS SPIRITUAL judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man" (1 Cor 2:15). The person in Christ is not at a disadvantage in any essential area. He is equipped for conflict and spiritual; advance. The walk of faith does not lead you where you do not have resources available to you. "He that is spiritual" is the person walking in and being led by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16,25; Rom 8:14). Such an one is able to decipher both lie and truth, righteousness and unrighteousness. He does it at the spiritual level, not the soulish level.

THE EPHESIANS "LEFT" their "First Love," yet meticulously tried those claiming to be Apostles, and found they were not (Rev 2:2-4). Their's was a soulish approach. It did not go deep enough. That is why they abandoned the Savior, even though remaining intensely active in His name! They did not "judge all things," which included their own "fallen" condition.

– Given O. Blakely