New Birth before Understanding
Notice how the scriptures teach us that we must be born of the Spirit before we can even understand what the scriptures teach much less be able to teach anyone else.
1. Those who are born of the Spirit possess the Spirit and are aware of this very fact.
(1 John 3:24) … And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.
(Rom 8:9) … Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
(Rom 8:16 ) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
2. After receiving the Spirit, the born again have the God-given ability to understand God’s Word. (1 Cor 2:12 -14) 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.
3. Every one must be converted and healed or they will never understand the mysteries of God. (Mat 13:14-15) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: {15} For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
The secret things of God are hid from those who live this life without being born of the Spirit. One truly knows when they are born of the Spirit because of the peace which accompanies the experience. Would to God that all would seek the Lord while He may be found.
Let’s be careful to rightly divide the word of truth.