Daily Devotions
11/12/26 1 Corinthians 12:2-3 Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of their pre-Christian past, when they were drawn toward idols that had no capacity for speech. ( 1 Cor 12 ) This contrast sets up his central point: genuine Spirit-inspired speech produces confession of Jesus as Lord, while cursing Jesus reveals the absence of the Holy Spirit’s influence. ( 1 Cor 12 ) The passage establishes a fundamental test for authentic spiritual experience. The confession that Jesus Christ is Lord serves as evidence of the Spirit’s presence, [1] distinguishing true spiritual experience from mere ecstatic utterance or false inspiration. This confession represents the foundational commitment to becoming Christian, typically followed by baptism. [2] Paul’s point operates on two levels. First, he’s addressing a practical concern in Corinth: believers needed a reliable way to discern whether spiritual manifestations came from God or elsewhere. The test is theological in nature, centered on maintai...