And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 2 Corinthians 2:4-5
The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been about the wisdom of men, it has from the beginning been about the power of God. The challenge that we all face as people, is the tendency to be taken in by eloquence of speech. Paul rejected the notion of persuasion by human wisdom, in order to declare that his preaching was about the Spirit and power. Why did Paul find it necessary to make this distinction? 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
gives us some insight— Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The Lord was working in all three of these chosen vessels, yet the church at Corinth had preferences according to style. Why were they not all equally received? Because the faith of the people was in the individual personalities and not the power of God. May our faith always be rooted and grounded in the power of God, and never diluted by the wisdom of men or women. Because human wisdom has limits, we can never accomplish the purpose for which we were born apart from the power of God. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. This is why Paul pointed the people to the LORD and away from himself. Beware of anyone who points to themselves and not the Almighty.
What would happen if our speech reflected the Spirit and power of God? There would be far less disappointment in the world because whenever I faith is in the power of God we will never be disappointed. We may fail and stumble but we can always be confident that the power of God can subdue every adversary, and no situation is beyond the limits of the power of God. In my own life I have been over zealous towards those who are eloquent and seem to have it all together. Only to be disappointed when their human frailty is made manifest. On the other hand I have been inspired by humble souls who don’t have much and yet they impart the power which comes from above and lifts me above circumstances and negative situations.
It is God that makes the difference wherever He is found. Sometimes we look in the wrong places — whenever we fix our eyes on any speech where there is no demonstration of the Spirit and of power, our faith is misplaced. This does not mean that we cannot consume wholesome entertainment, or partake in casual conversation. I speak in the context that Paul speaks related to speech which he refers to as preaching. The proclamation of the things of God. Our faith should always look up to the One who gives us access to His power because we belong to Him and not another.
The contention that arises in the church when our faith is in human wisdom, causes splits, arguments and divisions. Which the Bible refers to as carnal, may we be spiritual in all of our ways so that none of us will stray from the faith when we hear flattery speech. Eloquence alone is not enough to lead us in the way we should go. Our faith must be fully rooted in the power of God because that is the only way we can live out our mandate to be One according to the Lord’s Prayer in John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Anything that brings about division is contrary to the will of God concerning us.
My prayer for you, is that your faith would not be in human wisdom but in the power of God. There is wisdom that comes from above, and is literally the wisdom of God, so wisdom that flows from the presence of God is good. It is earthly wisdom that has the potential to derail us, because it is sensual and seductive. It appeals to our sensibilities which is why the Corinthian church, although abundant in spiritual gifts became carnal minded. The carnal mind is controlled by the enemy of our soul. Here the word of the Lord in Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
To be at enmity with God means to be at war with God. Who is able to win against God? Absolutely no one. That is why the enemy of our soul seeks to deceive us with carnal thoughts that usher in division, and ultimately leads us into a war that cannot be won. On the other hand, we always win when our faith is in the power of God, because our Father is greater than all.
So today make a declaration that your faith will not be in the wisdom of men or women but in the power of God.
Maranatha
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