The Inner Search

 

                                      

The Inner Search

1 Corinthians 2:9-16

[9]That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

    and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared

    for those who love him.”

[10]But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.

[11]No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

[12]And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

[13]When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

[14]But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

[15]Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.

[16]For,

“Who can know the lord’s thoughts?

    Who knows enough to teach him?”But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Proverbs 20:27

[27]The lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,

    exposing every hidden motive.

Jeremiah 17:7-10

[7]“But blessed are those who trust in the lord

    and have made the lord their hope and confidence.

[8]They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

    with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

    or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

    and they never stop producing fruit.

[9]“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,

    and desperately wicked.

    Who really knows how bad it is?

[10]But I, the lord, search all hearts

    and examine secret motives.

I give all people their due rewards,

    according to what their actions deserve.”

​Proverbs 20:27 & Jeremiah 17:7-10

​Proverbs tells us that our spirit acts as a "lamp of the Lord," meaning God uses our conscience and inner consciousness to examine our lives. Jeremiah warns that our hearts can be deceitful, often misguiding us based on human logic or emotions.

​However, the blessing comes when we trust in the Lord rather than our own understanding. When we do this, God, who "searches the heart and examines the mind," reveals true wisdom to us. We are called to allow God to search our "innermost parts," aligning our inner lives with His truth rather than worldly, fickle emotions.

​The Revelation of the Spirit

​1 Corinthians 2:9-10

​Paul reminds us that human senses—eyes and ears—cannot fully perceive what God has prepared for those who love Him. This goes beyond just a future heaven; it refers to the deep, abundant life and wisdom available today.

​These truths are not found through intellect or human wisdom but are "revealed... by his Spirit." The Holy Spirit searches the depths of God and reveals them to the believer.

​Possessing the Mind of Christ

​1 Corinthians 2:14-16

​The "natural man" (unbeliever or one relying on human logic) cannot understand the things of the Spirit; they seem like "folly." However, the spiritual person is guided by the Spirit, enabling them to comprehend spiritual truths.

​Paul concludes with a powerful statement: "But we have the mind of Christ." Through the Holy Spirit, we are given a new way of thinking, seeing, and judging—a divine perspective that replaces limited human wisdom.

​Did you know that the hardest distance for mankind to travel is 18 inches? That is the average distance between the brain and the heart.

​Knowledge (Relational and Truth-Based)

​Definition: Biblical knowledge is rarely just intellectual ("head knowledge"). It is often translated from the Hebrew "yada", meaning to know by experience, intimacy, and covenant relationship ( "Adam knew Eve his wife" in Gen 4:1).

​Nature: It is objective and unchanging, anchored in the truth of Scripture.

​Purpose: It is meant to transform the knower and lead to obedience and covenant faithfulness.

​Source: It is revealed by God and is cultivated through study, prayer, and the Spirit.

​Biblical View: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). It is highly valued as the foundation for wisdom.

​Emotions (Valid Responses and Inner Gauges)

​Definition: Emotions are the "language of the soul," expressing values, desires, and evaluations of our circumstances.

​Nature: They are subjective, often fleeting, and influenced by personal experiences and physical states.

​Purpose: They are designed to energize behavior and act as a catalyst for action.

​Source: God created humans with emotions, and they are part of being made in His image (God experiences love, anger, and joy).

​Biblical View: Emotions are a "gauge, not a guide." They are not inherently bad, but because of the Fall, they are sin-impaired and cannot be trusted as the primary driver of life decisions.

​Key Differences in Biblical Function

​Trustworthiness: Knowledge of the truth sets people free (John 8:32), whereas the Bible warns against trusting our own hearts/emotions, which can be deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).

​Function: Knowledge acts as the foundation (what is true), while emotions are the reaction (how we feel about it).

​Stability: Knowledge provides stability, preventing believers from being "tossed by the waves" of circumstances (James 1:5-8). Emotions can fluctuate wildly, leading to rash decisions if not brought under control.

​Control: Knowledge is cultivated and applied; emotions are to be brought under the "self-control" of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

​The Ideal Relationship: Truth First, Feelings Follow

​The Bible does not suggest eliminating emotions but rather "sanctifying" them—aligning them with truth.

​Face the Facts: The Bible instructs believers to trust in God's unchanging Word.

​Act in Obedience: Obey God regardless of feelings.

​Emotions Follow: As the mind is renewed by truth, emotions begin to reflect Godly values (liking what God likes, hating what God hates).

​Summary: The Bible calls us to live by faith, not by feelings, using truth to govern our emotions rather than letting emotions dictate our actions.

​Surrender Your Logic: Where are you relying on your own understanding rather than trusting God?

​Ask for Discernment: Invite the Holy Spirit to search your "innermost parts" (Proverbs 20:27) and reveal God’s will.

​Act on the Mind of Christ: In your current circumstances, ask: "How would the Spirit have me view this situation?"

​A little more about the "18-inch journey." It’s  because it highlights that the Holy Spirit is the only "bridge" capable of making that trip. We often try to bridge it with willpower, as  noted, Jeremiah says the heart is too deceitful for us to manage on our own. Relying on the Spirit isn't just a religious duty; it’s a practical necessity for staying sane in a world that tries to pull our emotions in a thousand directions.

​Prayer

​Heavenly Father,

 Thank you that Your wisdom is deeper than my own. I surrender my deceitful heart and limited perspective to You. Search me, Lord, and by Your Spirit, reveal the deep things You have prepared. Help me to walk today with the mind of Christ.

In Jesus' precious name we pray,  Amen!

​Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

​BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED, AMEN

BOBBA

Love, Penny