Your Sixth Sense…the Holy Spirit

March 8, 2020

Lent 2020

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“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Matthew 13:13-15)

If you had to give up just one of your five senses, which would it be: the ability to touch, see, hear, smell, or taste? Tough decision isn’t it? The interesting thing is that our senses are actually very subjective and quite personal. It is apparent in our society today that many people can “see” the same situation in a multitude of different ways. People can hear the same story or fact, yet their interpretations can be the polar opposite. The reality is that our personal life experiences truly have an effect on how we interpret the sensations of our senses. Therefore, relying purely on our senses to see, hear, or feel God working in our lives or in those around us can be deceiving.

In Matthew 13:13-15, the disciples ask Jesus why He teaches in parables. Jesus refers directly to the foreshadowing words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:9-10. Jesus explains that we can “see,” but don’t really perceive what God is showing us; we “hear” what God is saying but don’t want to truly understand God’s meaning for our lives; and lastly, our hearts have become calloused, therefore not allowing us to receive the healing and blessings that God has for us. Jesus points to the fact that our earthly senses can impede us from experiencing God to the fullest.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 emphasizes the point of not relying on our senses, but allowing the Holy Spirit to act as God’s interpreter. Paul writes, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

DIG DEEPER:

Let’s challenge ourselves to put aside our earthly senses and make a conscious effort to consult (pray) with the Holy Spirit first to gain God’s true meaning in our lives.
Are your senses blinding you from seeing something God is trying to show you? Are you deaf to the calling of God in your life? What can you do to be more aware of what God may be showing you?

written by Morrice Blackwell