A Wise Fool Part 4: Empty Word or Powerful Word

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." —1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

The message of the cross divides people into two camps: those who are spiritually blind and those who are spiritually awake. To the fool, the gospel is nonsense. But to the wise, the gospel is not only truth; it is the very power of God.

The Fool:

The fool is spiritually blind, unable to see or understand the things of God. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, "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." Operating out of mere human reasoning, the fool is cut off from spiritual truth. Their mind is darkened because they are separated from the Spirit who gives sight. They rely on human intellect and worldly wisdom, dismissing the gospel as nonsensical because it doesn’t align with their limited understanding. Thus, they remain blind to deeper spiritual realities and fixate only on earthly things.

The fool is trapped in the limitations of the "natural man," living only by what their mind can grasp. As a result, they reject the supernatural power of God that only the Spirit can reveal.

The Wise:

The wise are spiritually awake and possess spiritual discernment, which allows them to see beyond the foolishness of the world and grasp the deeper truths of God. They not only believe the words of the gospel but also understand the power behind it—the power to save, deliver, and transform.

As 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, "The spiritual person judges all things," meaning the wise are able to discern spiritual truth because they are in tune with the Spirit of God. The same Spirit empowers them to see the cross not as defeat but as the ultimate victory. They understand that the gospel is God’s power in action and live by faith in that power. The wise, being spiritually discerning, navigate life with clarity and purpose, seeing reality through God's eyes rather than the world's.

Practical Takeaway:

In a world that often views the gospel as foolishness, stand firm. Walk in the power of the cross, allowing God's power to work in your life.

Prayer:

Abba Fathe, open my eyes daily to the power of the cross. Help me to see through the eyes of the Spirit, with wisdom and discernment, so that I may stand firm in a world that calls Your truth foolish. In Jesus' name, Amen.