“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” (1 Cor. 2:11a, NKJV)
What makes a spiritual approach to transformation in a person’s life different from, for instance, a psychological approach, is that the Holy Spirit facilitates the process.
In John 16:13 Jesus guarantees: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” The Greek word for the phrase “things to come” encapsulates more than mere information about the future. According to Thayer the word “erchomai” means, amongst other things, “to come from one place to another, and used … of persons arriving; to appear, make one’s appearance, come before the public; to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; be established, become known”. This neatly describes the expected outcome of what one can achieve through therapy of whatever kind. Take note – this is only possible through the working of the Holy Spirit. “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” (1 Cor. 2:11).
We concluded the previous teaching with 1 Thess. 2:13: “the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe”, “which is also inwardly working itself in you” (Rotherham). Many believers do however not know how to bring this about. The logos-word of God is seed (Luke 8:11) and will bring about a harvest. The seed of the Word must be planted, watered and God will let it grow (1 Cor. 3:6). It is a spiritual principle.
The logos-word of God can however not work within you if it has not entered you. God cannot work with what is not there. Therefore Paul advises in Col. 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom …” This word, logos, is also the Word of God (= the Bible), which Peter describes as follows: “the word of God, which liveth and abideth” (1 Pet. 1:23, ASV). This needs to be consumed like mother’s milk – “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15, Message).
The reason for this is that the word has the inherent ability of what Heb. 4:12 makes clear: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The NJB-translation makes the function of the Word even clearer: “The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts.”
A believer must thus eat the Word of God (Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 3:1-3; Rev. 10:9). In the next teaching there will be more practical guidelines on this matter.
- Selah: Do you eat the Word of God?
- Read: 1-6
- Memorise: 3:11 (AND START DOING THIS NOW J!)
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read Janet Pope’s book: His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture
