I Corinthians 2:14-15 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

While we care not to admit it, when it comes to the character and nature of God; man’s comprehension is limited and anemic at best! Because He is infinite and we are finite; He not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). The word “thoughts” means intention, plan, imagination, purpose; it comes from a word meaning to weave or fabricate, hence from the mental effort to think, regard, or compute. The word “ways” means a road trodden, a course of life or mode of action. Think for a moment what God is saying; “As vast as the gap between the celestial heavens above and earth beneath them, is the vacant space between man’s thoughts and way, and the thoughts and ways of God!”

Are we forever doomed to walk in the wasteland of own depravity while dwelling among the ruins of earthly wisdom? Thank God that isn’t to be the fate of all: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12). When a person experiences the new birth, they immediately become the place of habitation for the Holy Spirit; “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16). When speaking to the disciples, Jesus declared the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit; “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). Within the text we are made aware of the person of enlightenment, “he will guide you into all truth.” If we are to be enlightened to the things of God we must allow the Holy Spirit to have free course in our live. The moment He is quenched or grieved, we immediately find ourselves floundering in the darkness; void of heavenly light.

There is the process of enlightenment, “he will guide you.” The word “guide” means to show the way, to lead, or to teach. If we are to know the things of God, we must submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When Peter identified Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee” (Matthew 16:17). Spiritual enlightenment was not the result of natural wisdom, but the Holy Ghost of God pulled off the covers and disclosed it to Peter.

Finally, there is the price of enlightenment, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12). Much like our salvation, spiritual enlightenment can’t be earned or paid for; it is freely given to us of God. On numerous occasions in the scriptures, Paul sets forth the idea at God would not have us to be ignorant. God desires for us to walk in the light of His Word, the knowledge of the truth, therefore it is freely given. If we find ourselves ignorant to the things of God, we are without excuse!