Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 8

Knowledge that comes from the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:16

We have just two main methods by which we gain knowledge of our world. Either we learn information from someone else, or we use our senses to discover a fact. All this knowledge enters our mind, but our mind does not always use it in the same way. For example, we can learn something as a fact although we still do not believe it.

It is very hard for our natural minds to understand about God and about heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9). There are some things that we simply cannot understand (Philippians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14). So God has provided another method by which his people may know such things (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). He has given them his Holy Spirit, who lives in them (8:9). The Holy Spirit shows these things, not firstly to their minds, but to their own spirits.

New Christians often worry whether they are truly born again as children of God (John 3:3-8). They cannot yet see, from their senses, that God has made this wonderful change in their lives. The problem is that they are depending upon their own feelings. Their feelings change constantly, and so does their confidence. Even in matters of this world, our feelings are a very poor way to discover anything.

The true test of whether someone is a Christian, is the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. For example, the Holy Spirit teaches God’s people those things that Christ taught (John 14:26). So, the Holy Spirit shows them that God’s promises truly are for them (see Matthew 11:28-30; John 1:12; Revelation 3:20). Such knowledge may not satisfy a person’s natural mind but, by it, God can bring life and peace to a person’s spirit (8:6).

Next part: What it means to be one of God's children (Romans 8:17)

 

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