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The phrase the spirit of the world is a term the apostle Paul used in 1 Corinthians 2:12, where he contrasts the spirit of the world with the Spirit of God: 鈥淲hat we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.鈥�

As opposed to the spirit of the world, the Holy Spirit imparts true wisdom to the believer. The Holy Spirit enables us to receive and understand 鈥渢he secret and hidden wisdom of God鈥� (1 Corinthians 2:7). Only God鈥檚 Spirit can reveal spiritual truth because only His Spirit knows 鈥渢he deep things of God鈥� (verse 10).

The spirit of the world can be understood in one of three ways. In one interpretation, the spirit of the world is a demonic spirit or perhaps Satan in particular. Elsewhere in Scripture, Satan is called 鈥渢he ruler of this world鈥� (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and 鈥渢he god of this world鈥� (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is 鈥渢he spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient鈥� (Ephesians 2:2).

Others suggest that Paul wasn鈥檛 referring to an evil spirit, per se, but rather a mindset that is foreign to and opposed to the Spirit of God—it鈥檚 humanity鈥檚 sinful disposition, which could be called a spirit of rebellion, covetousness, pride, and falsehood. A third view is that the spirit of the world is human wisdom in general or the basic human process of understanding, as expressed in secular philosophy and worldly wisdom.

God makes worldly wisdom, as promoted by the spirit of the world, foolish: 鈥淲here is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe鈥� (1 Corinthians 1:20–21). From a worldly, human standpoint, it is foolish to believe in Jesus Christ as the way of salvation.

The spirit of the world leads to foolishness because human wisdom is independent of God鈥檚 true wisdom. Human wisdom tends to boast before God; it is proud. Human wisdom rejects the person and work of Christ, who is 鈥渢he power of God and the wisdom of God鈥� (1 Corinthians 1:24). True wisdom from the Spirit of God whom we have received recognizes that our salvation is entirely unmerited and wholly by God鈥檚 grace: 鈥淕od chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 鈥楲et the one who boasts boast in the Lord鈥欌�� (verses 27–31).

Although the Corinthian believers claimed to be spiritually mature, they were, in fact, showing their immaturity through pride and division. Paul taught them that, to be truly mature, they would have to abandon human wisdom (the spirit of the world) for the Holy Spirit鈥檚 pure wisdom of the gospel. Believers cannot perceive the wonderful, hidden treasures they have received from God by looking with their natural, human eyes.