1 Corinthians 2:5-6 (NKJV): ... that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
The word 'age' here is 'aion' in Greek, which can mean 'world'. Here, the apostle Paul was saying that God's people's faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power (or ability) of God. And as they hear from God, they shall also speak forth the wisdom that is of Him, and not of this world.
This is a crucial time for God's people to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. In fact, there are many secrets that He wants to reveal to His people these days. Recently, I heard these words from the Lord, "Continue to stir up your spirit man. Don't let your spirit to slumber. Keep your spirit alert for the glory days ahead!"
Let's now continue with 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NKJV). It says, 'But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages (world) for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age (world) knew...
The word 'mystery' here simply means 'that has been hidden from the world'. In other words, the apostle Paul was saying that God's people today can have access to the wisdom of God 'that has been hidden from this world'. Not only that, this wisdom has in fact been ordained (i.e. preconceived, planned beforehand) by God for your glory (i.e. for your benefit) even before the world began! Praise the Lord!
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 then says, 'But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them (i.e. the wisdom from God) to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God'.
The word 'revealed' here is 'apokalupto' in Greek, which means 'to take off the cover, unveil, disclose'.
"So, how does He reveal His secrets to you?" Through His Spirit! Now, that leaves us with the next question: "In what way does He reveal His secrets through His Spirit?" The answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 2 :12 and 1 Corinthians 2:13.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV) says, 'Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things (i.e. the secrets, wisdom of God) that have been freely given to us by God. I like the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version of 1 Corinthians 2:13. It says, '... which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words'.
In other words, one way God can speak to you is by placing intelligible (i.e. that can readily be understood) thoughts and words in your spirit. These are thoughts and words deeply imparted by the Holy Spirit into your spirit, and are not the product of your own mind or logics. Some Bible teachers call this as 'the voice of the Holy Spirit', i.e. the voice of the Holy Spirit spoken into your spirit.
Note: You can be familiar with His voice (and learn to recognize His voice) by soaking in Him and spending time with Him often (in worship, in the Word of God, and by praying in the spirit).
Here are two examples in the Bible when God's people heard the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. Peter (see Acts 10:19-20, Acts 11:12).
2. The group of prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch (see Acts 13:1-3).
General characteristics of the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. It comes as a spontaneous impartation, not premeditated by the hearer (see Matthew 10:19-20).
2. It comes with specific commands (see Acts 13:2).
3. It is distinctly divine, and the hearer knows it comes at the right timing when he/she needed it (see Acts 10:19-20).
4. It is effective in bringing things to pass, and it always accomplishes the will of God. It also prospers the hearer and bears good fruits to the hearer (see Isaiah 55:8-11).
Keys to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit:
1. Leave your worries to the Lord and let Him take over (see Matthew 10:19-20). Here, Jesus says, "Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak."
2. No need to premeditate (see Luke 21:14-15). Here, Jesus says, "Therefore settle it in your hearts not to premeditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."
This day, my prayer is that the Lord will sensitize your spirit man as you listen to His voice. Allow Him, and may you prosper and bear much fruit in Him. Amen.
Point to note: Apart from the voice of the Holy Spirit, God can also communicate with you in many other ways, namely through your inner witness, promptings in your spirit, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, dreams, and visions.
