God's Holy Fire: 'Spiritual Understanding'

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
— 1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV

Key Thought

We sometimes get frustrated when people outside of Christ do not seem to be able to understand the teaching of Scripture. However, we must not forget that there are two realities to the truth of Scripture that non-believers do not experience. First, the Holy Spirit, who inspired Scripture and uses Scripture to form us, also helps followers of Jesus understand the truth that God has given us. Second, the truth of Scriptures often becomes more understandable as we obey it. The Holy Spirit is at work helping us understand the Scriptures he inspired! Let's never approach our time in Bible study without asking for the Holy Spirit to make God's truth known to us!

Today's Prayer

Father God, I thank you for blessing me with your Holy Spirit. I pray that as I open the Bible, I will hear your voice and understand your will. I ask, dear Holy Spirit, that you open my mind and that you work on my heart so that I understand and obey the truths that the Father has shared through Scripture. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon PM Devo for Mar. 1st
Devo: Morning & Evening
"As all the rivers run into the sea, so all delights centre in our Beloved. The glances of his eyes outshine the sun: the beauties of his face are..."
Christians Have God’s Spirit, Not the World’s
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person’s spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows..."
Words Given by the Spirit!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do..."
Supernatural Wisdom
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, giver of your Holy Spirit, All praises to your blessed name, to you, our God! You have disclosed incredibly wonderful things to us..."
See All 7 Related Resources about 1 Corinthians 2:12

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV — What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'God's Children' (Jn. 8:44-47)
"[To the Jews, Jesus continued,] "For you are the children of your father the devil... So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Solid Rock' (Ps. 18:30-31)
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Jesus Endured Much, so You Can, Too' (He. 12:2-3)
"We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations