Author	Thread: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).
dljrn04 View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 02:30 AM Devotional The presentation of truth to the unrenewed mind, either in the form of threatening or of promise, can never�by itself�produce any saving or sanctifying effect. In its unrenewed state, the soul of man is spiritually dead. It is insensible to all holy, spiritual activity. In that case, what impression is to be produced upon such a mind by merely holding up the truth before its eye? What life, what emotion, what effect will be accomplished? We might as well spread out a painting before the glazed eye of a corpse and expect that by the beauty of its design, the brilliancy of its colors, and the genius of its execution, we would animate the body with life, heave its bosom with emotion, and cause its eye to swim with delight, as to look for similar moral effects to result from merely holding up divine truth before a carnal mind, "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). And yet there are those who maintain that divine truth, unaccompanied by any extraneous power, can effect all these wonders! Against such a theory we simply cite God's Word: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). "Except one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). The sacred Word, inspired though it be, seems only a dead letter when it is not clothed with the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. No matter how awful the truths it unfolds are, no matter how solemn the revelations it discloses are, no matter how touching the scenes it portrays are, no matter how persuasive the motives it supplies are, yet when it is left to its own unaided operation, divine truth will not produce spiritual life, love, and holiness in the soul of man. Its influence depends upon a divine influence outside of itself to render its teaching efficacious. The three thousand who were converted on the day of Pentecost were doubtless awakened under one sermon. Some would declare that it was the power of the truth that wrought those wonders of grace. With this we perfectly agree, only adding that it was truth in the mighty hand of God that pricked them to the heart, and wrung from them the cry, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). The Eternal Spirit was the efficient cause, and the preached truth the instrument employed to produce the effect. Except for his accompanying and effectual power, they would�as multitudes do now�have turned their backs on the sermon of Peter, though it was full of Christ crucified. They would have derided the truth, and rejected the Savior of whom it spoke. But it pleased God, in the sovereignty of his will, to call them by his grace. And this he did by the effectual, omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit, through the instrumentality of the preached gospel. This, then, is why we plead for a personal experiential acquaintance with and reception of the truth before it can produce anything like holiness in the soul. The Holy Spirit must effectually apply the Word to the soul. That it has found an entrance merely to the intellect will not do. Advancing no further�not arresting the will, not touching the heart, not renewing the whole soul�it can never build up the empire of holiness in man. The reign of sanctification cannot have begun. The mental eye may be clear, but the moral eye closed. The mind may be all light, but the heart is all dark. The creed may be orthodox, but the whole life is at variance with the creed. Such is the discordant effect of divine truth, simply settled in the human understanding, unaccompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit in the heart. But if you receive the truth in your heart by the power of God himself�if it enters there, disarming and dethroning the strong man�if Jesus enters, and the Holy Spirit takes possession, renewing, sealing, and sanctifying your soul�then "the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life" (Rom. 6:22). by Octavius Winslow, 1856 What tho' I cannot break my chain or e'er throw off my load, the things impossible to men are possible to God. Who, who shall in thy presence stand, or match Omnipotence; unfold the grasp of thy right hand and pluck the sinner thence? Faith to be healed I fain would have, O might it now be giv'n; thou canst, thou canst the sinner save, and make me meet for heav'n. Bound down with twice ten thousand ties, yet let me hear thy call; my soul in confidence shall rise, shall rise and break through all. Thou canst o'ercome this heart of mine, thou wilt victorious prove; but everlasting strength is thine, and everlasting love. (Augustus M. Toplady, 1740�1778) Post Reply
View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 07:21 AM Man has always been a spiritual being even after the fall, and this context is very clear to a christian, so those that are in the habit of saying one should believe the whole bible, of course I believe that is so and I also practice it. So again if you want to be honest look again at the context, Paul could not minister to them spiritual things because they where trying to understand them as a natural man. There you go again posting an article written as the truth, eluding the truth, titled the natural man does not receive the things of god and this article is written by a man operating out of the natural man. 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 � Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 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. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man�s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 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. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 � And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 � Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God�s husbandry, ye are God�s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 � For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Notice verse eleven no other foundation, (calvinism) can no man lay. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 12:18 PM You are a heretic. The bible says men are born in sin, but you deny that scripture. The bible says we are chosen by God, but you deny that scripture. The bible says God died for his sheep and they know his voice, you deny that scripture. You are at your own finney buffet and pick and choose what you want. You do not believe the entire bible just what finney tells you to believe. Put away self confess and be saved by an Almighty, Holy, Sovereign God. Not the god of finneyism. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 12:29 PM http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bDJGaj6-jOQ/Sw-2mYXmijI/AAAAAAAACb8/YGdHkjQ-_G8/s1600/burger+king.jpg Post Reply
View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 07:40 PM PhillipJohn said: There you go again posting an article written as the truth, eluding the truth, titled the natural man does not receive the things of god and this article is written by a man operating out of the natural man. James replies: PhillipJohn you DO realize that the title of this post IS a verse of Scripture? I don't think you should post anymore. You have a reading comprehension problem. You need to take a remedial reading course. I would try finding one of the local community colleges, or maybe even try and find a private tutor. I really don't think you can read, and understand well enough to be posting on this board right now. I mean AFTER you get your reading comprehension up to adult levels, then yes you can post, but until then you need to stop. In Christ, James Post Reply
View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 8 Sep, 2011 07:49 PM James you might better say it would depend who is approaching scripture, your tactic's never change accusing others of doing exactly what you do deny scripture, do you also know what kingdom that Glorify's Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 9 Sep, 2011 02:23 AM Pj, You are a heretic. The bible says men are born in sin, but you deny that scripture. The bible says we are chosen by God, but you deny that scripture. The bible says God died for his sheep and they know his voice, you deny that scripture. You are at your own finney buffet and pick and choose what you want. You do not believe the entire bible just what finney tells you to believe. Put away self confess and be saved by an Almighty, Holy, Sovereign God. Not the god of finneyism. Post Reply
View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 9 Sep, 2011 05:04 AM No Calvinism says that man is born in Sin, and calvinism is not of the gospel in any part or portion, it is entirely built of Sin and the author of sin Is it's father Satan. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Posted : 9 Sep, 2011 01:04 PM you have been shown scripture after scripture you have no spiritual discernment and deny God, i will not show you again. Deny self and your finneyism, repent and follow the God of the bible. Post Reply