In 1 Corinthians 2:14 , 15 , we read of "the natural (soulish) man" and " he who is spiritual". There is a vast difference between a soulish Christian and a spiritual Christian. Human cleverness cannot understand this, as it says there: " A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one ."

The mind and the spirit are as different as the eye and the ear. And just as it is possible for someone to have good hearing and yet be blind, it is also possible for someone to have a brilliant intellect and a 'dead' spirit - or vice versa. For our work in this world, we need a good mind. But when it comes to the things of God, it is the state of our spirit that matters. To understand the things of God we need revelation from the Holy Spirit, and that is given only to the humble ("infants" who have a spirit of humility - Matt.11:25 ), and not to the clever (unless they are also humble).

It is difficult for a clever man to be humble, although it is not impossible. That is just like it being difficult for a self-righteous Pharisee to acknowledge that he is a sinner, although not impossible. It is easier for prostitutes and thieves to acknowledge that they are sinners. So also in the matter of Divine revelation: It is easier for an unlearned man to acknowledge that he is not clever - and so he can receive Divine revelation quicker. That was why Jesus spent most of His time with three unlearned fishermen - Peter, James and John - because He found them to be the most responsive to spiritual things. And this was also why the Pharisees found it so difficult to accept Christ - because their pride in their intellects hindered them from acknowledging that they were spiritually foolish. This is something that you must bear in mind when constantly mingling with college-students who are intellectual and clever.

Human cleverness has no value before God. It is as unimportant to God as the colour of our skin - for both of these are what people are born with, and whatever people are born with, gives them no advantage before God. Cleverness, like human righteousness, is like filthy rags in God's sight ( Isa.64:6 . Christ has become not only our righteousness, but also our wisdom (See 1 Cor.1:30 ).

We are encouraged however, by the fact that a man like Paul, who was both a self-righteous Pharisee and a brilliant intellectual (both handicaps), could not only be saved, but also become a great apostle of Christ. But that was because he humbled himself constantly. When speaking to the Corinthians, he says he feared lest he would depend on his intellectual ability, and that was why he was "in fear and trembling among them " ( 1 Cor.2:3 ). He feared lest he preach to them with the power of his mind (soul) rather than in the power of God's Spirit. We must all have that fear whenever we speak. This is why we must pray constantly for the power of the Holy Spirit - for we need this continuously.

So, we must not mistake a clever intellectual presentation of Biblical truth for a spiritual one. Neither must we mistake a very emotional message for a spiritual one. Both the intellect and the emotions are parts of our soul. These are good servants but bad masters. The Holy Spirit alone must be Lord in our lives. Ultimately, the way to become spiritual lies in the three secrets of the Christian life that I have often mentioned: Humility, Humility and Humility! If you have that, you will be all right.