Confusion and Contention
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” I Corinthians 12.3
As the Apostle Paul exhorts the members of the Corinthian church concerning the gifts of the Spirit, he wants to empower them with understanding. (“gnōrízō” – “to make clearly known”)
While it is true that this local church had members with varying gifts, the ability to discern the leading of God’s Spirit as opposed to human reasoning was of a paramount nature. Certainly God’s Spirit should be heeded and obeyed; however, it must be understood to be distinct from human rhetoric or oratorical eloquence. The believer should always be on alert to identify God’s will as expressed in His written Word.
Here, Paul identifies the real Jesus by emphasizing His humanity when Paul simply says, “Jesus.” In II Corinthians, Paul’s exhortation became more pointed as it seems the church was not limiting itself to discussions about the true God-man, Jesus. The name of Jesus could not be tossed around flippantly and could only be properly invoked as the speaker was being led by God’s Spirit.
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (II Corinthians 11.4)
Today, as in the times of Paul, preachers and lay-people alike, toss the name of Jesus around – including His holy name in sermonizing and singing – in manners that would profane Him. As Paul explains here, there are two indications showing whether a speaker is doing so in the Spirit of God or of some other spirit.
First, Paul says that anyone who is speaking of Jesus as being accursed is not representing God and not speaking words while in obedience to God’s Spirit. To state that Jesus is accursed (“anathema” – something given up for destruction) means that someone has been given up to the curse and destruction. (I Corinthians16.22; Galatians 1.8, 9). The word does not denote punishment intended as discipline but being given over or devoted to divine condemnation. For someone to suggest that this applies to Jesus, the Son of God, the true believer can recognize that the speaker is not speaking in God’s authority.
Second, Paul indicates that anyone who is speaking of Jesus and declaring Him to be his Lord can only do so through the authority of God’s Spirit. Many will call Jesus lord, but not everyone who calls Him lord have actually made Him Lord. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7.22)
While many try to use the name of Jesus in various manners, only those who have entered into a personal relationship with Him by acknowledging Him as the Christ are afforded the privilege of being led by God’s Spirit. Peter was quick to testify of this – Peter understood the importance of identifying Jesus for whom He was.
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16.16, 17)
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (John 4.2, 3)
While it is true that this local church had members with varying gifts, the ability to discern the leading of God’s Spirit as opposed to human reasoning was of a paramount nature. Certainly God’s Spirit should be heeded and obeyed; however, it must be understood to be distinct from human rhetoric or oratorical eloquence. The believer should always be on alert to identify God’s will as expressed in His written Word.
Here, Paul identifies the real Jesus by emphasizing His humanity when Paul simply says, “Jesus.” In II Corinthians, Paul’s exhortation became more pointed as it seems the church was not limiting itself to discussions about the true God-man, Jesus. The name of Jesus could not be tossed around flippantly and could only be properly invoked as the speaker was being led by God’s Spirit.
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (II Corinthians 11.4)
Today, as in the times of Paul, preachers and lay-people alike, toss the name of Jesus around – including His holy name in sermonizing and singing – in manners that would profane Him. As Paul explains here, there are two indications showing whether a speaker is doing so in the Spirit of God or of some other spirit.
First, Paul says that anyone who is speaking of Jesus as being accursed is not representing God and not speaking words while in obedience to God’s Spirit. To state that Jesus is accursed (“anathema” – something given up for destruction) means that someone has been given up to the curse and destruction. (I Corinthians16.22; Galatians 1.8, 9). The word does not denote punishment intended as discipline but being given over or devoted to divine condemnation. For someone to suggest that this applies to Jesus, the Son of God, the true believer can recognize that the speaker is not speaking in God’s authority.
Second, Paul indicates that anyone who is speaking of Jesus and declaring Him to be his Lord can only do so through the authority of God’s Spirit. Many will call Jesus lord, but not everyone who calls Him lord have actually made Him Lord. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7.22)
While many try to use the name of Jesus in various manners, only those who have entered into a personal relationship with Him by acknowledging Him as the Christ are afforded the privilege of being led by God’s Spirit. Peter was quick to testify of this – Peter understood the importance of identifying Jesus for whom He was.
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16.16, 17)
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (John 4.2, 3)
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