– Spirit-Empowered Witness Of God
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Corinthians 2 and Psalm 126 (NIV)
(Julia Jomono, SGM Core Team Member)
READ:
1 Corinthians 2 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Paul came to the Corinthians not in human wisdom or eloquence, but as a witness empowered by the Holy Spirit. During that period, the Corinthians greatly valued men of wisdom, who were skilful in rhetoric and eloquent in speech. While Paul was able to reason and engage the audience intellectually, he resolved not to approach them with human wisdom, because he knew that the simplest message of the Cross is infused with the power of the Holy Spirit. It is God who convicts the hearts and minds of men, not the choice words or the skills of the speaker. The Word of God is powerful and effective to penetrate the minds and hearts of men to turn to Him.
Paul was compared to other speakers, including Apollos, who was favoured due to his polished speech. Paul remained convinced that he should simply rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide him and to minister to the hearts and minds of the people who are ready to accept God. The message can be discerned by those who accept the Spirit of God. It will be foolishness to those who choose not to receive the Spirit, as they are unable to discern spiritual things.
APPLY:
As a mission leader, I have been asked to share the Word or testimonies in the mission fields. However, I have not been confident, as I perceived myself as ineloquent. Furthermore, it takes me a long time to compose a message. Previously, I suffered from anxiety and stage fright, which I have since been healed.
When sharing testimonies or messages, it is important to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not about the skills of the speaker, but a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. I will be yielded to God, so that He may guide me. His Spirit will guide the hearer into God’s truth. Without the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, human wisdom may please the hearer, but may not be effective. It may inform rather than transform the lives of the hearer.
DO:
- Discern the purposes and ways of God
While it is tempting to “follow the crowd” and seek the favour of men, it is important to seek the purposes and ways of God. Paul discerned that he was to minimise usage of “worldly wisdom” to bring about the clarity and power of the gospel. I will follow his ways, so that I may be more effective in sharing the gospel.
- Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
As God’s witness, I will rely on the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit when preparing and sharing the gospel. I may be limited, but the Spirit is able to minister to the hearts and minds of men and transform lives.
- Mind of Christ
I may have allowed my own inadequacy and insecurity to hinder the work of God. However, I choose to align my belief and attitude to godly belief, and have the mind of Christ.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me to surrender fully to you. I may have relied on my own strength and ability to accomplish your purposes. Forgive me for allowing inadequacy to creep into my hearts and mind. I repent of these ungodly beliefs that I am not worthy to accomplish your purposes. Enable me to be empowered and guided by the Spirit. Amen.
