First the Heart and Then the Mind

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
1 Corinthians 1	1 Corinthians 2	1 Corinthians 3	Leviticus 6	Leviticus 7	Psalms 42

Most of us know from experience the impact words can have. We have come to recognize the fallacy in the idiom, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Words can have quite an impact and actually be quite painful. The writer of James in the New Testament spoke of the power of the tongue saying it has the power to bless our Lord and also to curse men and is difficult to tame.

But when it comes to the things of God, the apostle Paul found that words had their limitations. While he was in Athens he engaged the philosophers using words to convey the wisdom of God and had limited success. Learning from that experience, when he went on to Corinth he did not depend on his words but on "a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power." (1 Corinthians 3:4-5) Though words must be used when conveying the things of God, they cannot be our primary tool in leading people to salvation through Christ, for God reveals the mystery of His salvation by the Spirit, not by the wisdom of man. So when we attempt to persuade one about the ways of God through words, "it is foolishness to him," for these things are "evaluated spiritually." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Once the Corinthians came to God through the power of the Spirit and became more mature spiritually, then Paul could speak to them of the wisdom of God. It is important that the mind is engaged to the wisdom of God, but it is not the beginning point. First the heart needs to be engaged spiritually. With the heart engaged the mind can be ignited, and with both engaged the whole person can connect to the things of God.