Todd Clippard

Topic(s):  Holy Spirit, Miracles

In 1 Corinthians 2:11, the apostle Paul writes, "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?"  In the context of the passage, Paul is explaining that no one can know the things of God except through what God reveals through His spirit (through the inspired Word - 2 Tim 3:16-17).  In making this argument, Paul uses a true statement concerning the minds of men, and that is this - No one can know what is in a man's mind except for that man himself.  In other words, no man has the ability to read my mind or know my thoughts.  I alone know these things.

Now, it should also be understood that the human mind has far greater capabilities than we tend to recognize.  For example, the subconscious mind can construct scenarios in our dreams based upon past experiences.  I believe this is why we sometimes experience the phenomenon known as "deja vu," which literally means "already seen."  I don't believe the Bible allows for us to see the future, but sometimes situations seem eerily familiar.

The days of miraculous abilities passed with the completion of the New Testament ("that which is perfect" - 1 Cor 13:8-10, the perfect law of liberty – James 1:25).  Miracles were used in the New Testament as a sign of Divine authority for a message that was being preached (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4).  With the completed revelation of God, (the Bible and New Testament in particular - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3), the need for the miraculous ended.  Reliance upon miracles for confirmation was described as child-like in 1 Corinthians 13:8-11, and Paul wrote, "For we walk by faith, and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).