One of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us who believe.  This relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit brings about many blessings in a Christian’s life.  One of those blessings is the profound ability to tap into the wisdom of God.  As an adopted child of the Father and a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit I can conceive of God’s love for me and the wisdom of God is revealed to me by his Spirit.  These are powerful gifts that we can use to contend for the faith in the marketplace of ideas.  1 Corinthians 2:10-12 says:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except a man’s spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 

Let’s break this passage down to see a very exciting truth.  First, Paul instructs that my spirit knows my inner thoughts and the Spirit of God knows His thoughts.  It seems reasonable to conclude that our mind has a spiritual essence.  Paul then goes on to say that we have received the Spirit – Mind who is from God.  In other words, my spirit – mind has received God’s Spirit – Mind that we may understand what God has freely given us.

I don’t’ know about you, but for me this is a very important revelation!  I can hope for a lifetime of spiritual learning with this kind of relationship with the Holy Spirit.  And, I can see a little more of what Paul actually meant when he stated in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I encourage you to read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 to get a fuller understanding of what I have talked about in this post.  My hope is that I can encourage you in seeking God’s word for instruction and guidance that will encourage you to contend for the faith.  The people of the world desperately need us to contend with them and for them, even though they think us foolish.  Paul concludes this passage with the following statement, “But we have the mind of Christ.”  What are we going to do with it?