“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:18–21 NLT)

 

In my travels, I’ve found that certain people are more open to the gospel than others. But identifying who will be receptive isn’t always easy. Because I never know how things are going to play out, I just share the Word of God as often as possible and invite everyone to come to Christ.

The apostle Paul used a similar strategy. The book of Acts tells us that he received three reactions to the gospel when he preached it: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ . . . However, some men joined him and believed” (Acts 17:32, 34 NKJV).

Two thousand years later, those three reactions to the gospel are still pretty common. Some people mock. The word mocked used in Acts 17 also could be translated as “sneered” or “burst out laughing.” In other words, “Are you serious? You actually believe that?”

To these educated fools, the Good News of Christ seemed silly and unbelievable. But this very mockery was an indication that they were going to perish. As Paul wrote, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT).

Some will mock, while others will delay: “We will hear you again on this matter” (Acts 17:32 NKJV). This is a very common reaction. What it means is, “I really don’t want to decide right now.” The devil uses this tactic to great effect: “Don’t worry about it now. Deal with it later.”

The good news is that some people believed. They repented and changed their minds. Among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, who was a judge, an intellectual, and a ruler of the city.

After his words in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul wrote,

“As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (verses 19–21 NLT)

I’ve come to realize that conversion is God’s job, not mine. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of an unbeliever. God holds us responsible for proclaiming the truth, even if it seems like “foolish preaching” to others. The rest is up to Him.

 

Reflection question: What are the most common responses you get when you share the gospel?

The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details. 

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.&nbsp;As the Scriptures say, &lsquo;I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.&rsquo; So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world&rsquo;s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.&nbsp;Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.&rdquo; (1 Corinthians 1:18&ndash;21 NLT)
&nbsp;
In my travels, I&rsquo;ve found that certain people are more open to the gospel than others. But identifying who will be receptive isn&rsquo;t always easy. Because I never know how things are going to play out, I just share the Word of God as often as possible and invite everyone to come to Christ.
The apostle Paul used a similar strategy. The book of Acts tells us that he received three reactions to the gospel when he preached it: &ldquo;And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, &lsquo;We will hear you again on this matter.&rsquo; .&nbsp;.&nbsp;. However, some men joined him and believed&rdquo; (Acts 17:32, 34 NKJV).
Two thousand years later, those three reactions to the gospel are still pretty common. Some people mock. The word mocked used in Acts 17 also could be translated as &ldquo;sneered&rdquo; or &ldquo;burst out laughing.&rdquo; In other words, &ldquo;Are you serious? You actually believe that?&rdquo;
To these educated fools, the Good News of Christ seemed silly and unbelievable. But this very mockery was an indication that they were going to perish. As Paul wrote, &ldquo;The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God&rdquo; (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT).
Some will mock, while others will delay: &ldquo;We will hear you again on this matter&rdquo; (Acts 17:32 NKJV). This is a very common reaction. What it means is, &ldquo;I really don&rsquo;t want to decide right now.&rdquo; The devil uses this tactic to great effect: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry about it now. Deal with it later.&rdquo;
The good news is that some people believed. They repented and changed their minds. Among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, who was a judge, an intellectual, and a ruler of the city.
After his words in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul wrote,
&ldquo;As the Scriptures say, &lsquo;I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.&rsquo; So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world&rsquo;s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.&nbsp;Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.&rdquo; (verses 19&ndash;21 NLT)
I&rsquo;ve come to realize that conversion is God&rsquo;s job, not mine. It&rsquo;s the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of an unbeliever. God holds us responsible for proclaiming the truth, even if it seems like &ldquo;foolish preaching&rdquo; to others. The rest is up to Him.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What are the most common responses you get when you share the gospel?
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! <a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-crusade-2026/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=SoCal2026">Stay updated on all important event details</a>.&nbsp;
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

There’s no way to predict how people will respond to the gospel, so we should share it with everyone.