Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

To us, our verse would appear to be self-evident. For what person professing allegiance to Christ would dare blaspheme His name and call Him accursed? And who would boldly proclaim Jesus to be their Sovereign Lord if they were not filled with the Spirit?

Yet, it seems that the congregation at Corinth was witnessing such accusations, no doubt emerging from certain individuals who were led astray by false doctrines or were themselves crafters of these false teachings. These corrupt individuals were claiming to be filled with new spiritual gifts and new revelations in an attempt to turn the people away to a different gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9). But that is not all. They were also unjustly condemning true Christians who professed Jesus as Lord, but because these Christians would not follow along, they were deemed as “unspiritual” or “ungifted” and even expelled from the church! (see 3 John 9-10) What kind of evil is this?

But let us not be so arrogant to think that we are beyond such evil. As the wise King Solomon declared, there is nothing new under the sun, and so this maxim rings true even within the walls of the church. The problems that plagued the first-century church are the same problems that plague the twenty-first-century church! And we would do well to identify contemporary examples of these problems and how we can guard against them.

First, we must have a special eye out for anyone who claims to have some new insight into the Scriptures or some special gift that is unique to them. These people go beyond what is written into speculation and theory. They cause many to open their minds to more than the Word of Christ and prioritize the unknown. In the end, they claim to speak by the Spirit, but their testimony has anathematized Christ and His Word as not being sufficient.

This problem was particularly ripe in the 1800s as religious fervor took over the culture and preachers declared the soon coming of Christ. A good thing, indeed! — except that it went untested, and three of the largest Christian cults were born: Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, and Seventh-Day Adventism. Each of these cults was led by false preachers who claimed to have special insight and new revelations.

More recently, however, we see even more radical extremes than this. Tell me, how many “Christian” denominations today have justified homosexuality and transgenderism? They are even appointing such people to their pulpits! Are they not calling Christ accursed by their false doctrine? They are! I recently read that some even worship the “queer Jesus.” And we may rightly say that no one with the Spirit of God can say such things!

Secondly, Beloved, we must furthermore be vigilant to identify the opposite extreme which Paul addresses in our verse. This pitfall is harder to see, but it is just as destructive. While the first problem broadens our path beyond truth, this second error makes truth a tightrope which no man can cross. And it exists when authentic believers in Christ — those who earnestly profess Jesus as Lord — are wrongfully labeled as "lacking spirituality" or even more grievously, "unsaved."

This error manifests itself in the church when grace is supplanted by reproach, prayer usurped by slander, and truth subverted by gossip and idle chatter. This fallacy thrives in closed circles of self-righteousness, and it festers into passing judgment on other fellow believers, merely because the Master has gifted them differently. Alas! — these individuals refuse to see how the Holy Spirit can be at work beyond their own musings, thus casting aside and slandering anyone who treads the righteous path different from their own.

We must therefore, Beloved, walk with discernment and with grace! This is remedy! May we hold to the truth of God’s Word and be ever loving to God’s people!

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)

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