Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV
Paul’s words draw a clear line between speech that springs from God and speech that arises from the flesh. When a person truly lives under the influence of the Holy Spirit, their words and life reveal it. The fruit they bear and the tone of their speech reflect the Spirit’s work within them. Just as a tree shows its nature by its fruit, so a believer is recognised by Spirit-filled words that edify, strengthen, and honour Christ.
This verse also offers a simple but powerful test. If anyone declares, “Jesus be cursed,” those words do not come from the Spirit. The Holy Spirit never prompts a believer to blaspheme or act against God’s will. Likewise, when someone proclaims Jesus as Lord with sincerity, it is not empty repetition or mere echoing of others—it is the Spirit Himself bringing conviction to their heart.
True confession goes beyond verbal assent. A person may say “Jesus is Lord” because others asked them to repeat it, yet without personal conviction, those words hold no eternal weight. Authentic faith is born when the Spirit reveals Christ’s Lordship, persuading the heart that Jesus truly reigns. This is why Paul insists that no one can sincerely declare Jesus as Lord apart from the Spirit’s work.
We must also avoid attributing sin to the Spirit. I cannot claim that the Holy Spirit has led me into wrongdoing, no matter how small it seems. Sin flows from the flesh and the fallen nature, never from God. To excuse sin as Spirit-inspired is not only false but dangerous, for it misrepresents the character of the Holy Spirit.
Paul stresses this truth because it marks the difference between life before Christ and life in Him. Once, as pagans, we lived without the Spirit’s guidance, serving idols and following our own desires. Now, having been born again, we are to live, speak, and act by the Spirit in all things. Anything less places us out of alignment with God’s purpose.
Living by the Spirit should not be rare or optional—it is the normal Christian life. He shapes our words, influences our decisions, and directs the way we treat others. When our actions and speech no longer reflect Him, we must pause, repent, and return to His guidance.
This teaching challenges us to examine the fruit of our words and ministry. Are we building up the church when we speak? Do our words reflect hearts that truly acknowledge Christ’s Lordship? Are they seasoned with the fragrance of the Spirit’s presence? Honest answers to these questions reveal whether we are truly walking in step with Him.
Ultimately, Paul points us to a life of dependence on the Spirit. Only when He forms our convictions can our public confession—“Jesus is Lord”—carry the weight of truth. Such confession exalts Christ, strengthens the church, and glorifies God through our lives.
Living It Out
Seek a deeper walk with the Holy Spirit this week. Invite Him to guide your words, decisions, and daily conduct. Before you speak, pause to ask whether your words reflect His character and honour Christ as Lord. Let your confession of faith spring from Spirit-wrought conviction, so that your testimony of Jesus truly points others to Him.