missions
You Need the Spirit to Read
By John Piper at Desiring God
· June 17, 2026
· 1 min read
Why do some hear Scripture and dismiss it as nonsense? John Piper shows from 1 Corinthians 2:14–16 that the natural heart cannot discern the worth of spiritual truth.Watch Now
Key takeaway John Piper shows from 1 Corinthians 2:14–16 that the natural heart cannot discern the worth of spiritual truth.
Why this matters
The concept that the natural heart cannot discern the worth of spiritual truth highlights a significant challenge in Christian missions. As missionaries and evangelists seek to spread the Gospel, they often encounter individuals who are unreceptive to the message. This resistance can be attributed to the spiritual blindness that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, where the natural person is unable to understand the things of the Spirit. This biblical principle has implications for how Christians approach evangelism and discipleship, emphasizing the need for prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds to the truth of Scripture. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of spiritual preparation and dependence on God in missionary work, recognizing that the effectiveness of their efforts is ultimately dependent on the work of the Spirit. This perspective can inform the strategies and practices of Christian missionaries and evangelists.
About this story
Original reporting by Desiring God . Jesus Give surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Desiring God . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Jesus Give stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering missions and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Why do some hear Scripture and dismiss it as nonsense? John Piper shows from 1 Corinthians 2:14–16 that the natural heart cannot discern the worth of spiritual truth.Watch Now
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Jesus Give readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Piper at Desiring God. To learn more about how Jesus Give selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Jesus Give, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .