A Great Reveal
Without context, 1 Corinthians 2:9 could seem like Paul was referencing heaven. And while it’s true that our human minds have never seen, heard, or imagined the magnitude or magnificence of what God has planned for eternity, Paul’s message had a different point.
Paul was contrasting man’s wisdom with God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), he clarifies that only the Holy Spirit can reveal God’s mysterious plan. Without the Spirit, we are blind, deaf, and incapable of comprehending His power. Without the Spirit, His wisdom seems foolish to even “the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters” (1 Corinthians 1:20).
It takes the Spirit of God to reveal the mysteries of God.
Only the Holy Spirit can divulge what was previously hidden—what cannot be seen with human eyes, heard with human ears, or imagined with human minds.
And Jesus Christ is the mysterious plan, hope in the flesh, and the long-awaited Messiah who has come to rescue His people, “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). And because His Spirit now dwells inside of His people, we can also “have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
So don’t forget: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
How to Fight Pride
“I’m fine.”
“I’ve got this.”
“It’s my problem—not yours.”
We all want to be known, but sometimes it feels easier to hide behind masks of self-sufficiency. We might tell ourselves that we don’t want to burden others with our problems, but what we’re really saying is that we believe we can (and should) handle everything alone. This may feel self-protective, but it’s a form of pride that isolates and weakens us.
Pride is simply having a view of ourselves and our abilities that doesn’t align with reality. It’s one of the most effective methods the devil uses to isolate us, because it makes us believe we’re better off alone.
So how do we combat it? The apostle Peter advises us to “clothe” ourselves in humility (1 Peter 5:5). We do this by caring for others, watching over others, and accepting the authority and wisdom that others offer us (1 Peter 5:1-4). This requires mutual vulnerability, trust, and authenticity.
Treating others with ...