Spiritual Intelligence

1. Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) transcends human intellect.

The brightest minds in the world today are still essentially relegated to IQ and EQ, virtually ignoring the deeper dimensions of our spiritual capacity for brilliance.

Beyond IQ and EQ. Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) is a revolutionary concept that moves beyond natural-realm thinking, allowing us to access divine wisdom from heaven's perspective. While IQ (intelligence quotient) measures cognitive abilities and EQ (emotional quotient) measures emotional understanding, SQ taps into our redeemed spirit-man, connecting us to the infinite mind of God. This higher dimension of intelligence enables us to think like God, providing supernatural solutions to life's challenges.

Divine Smartphone. Imagine your smartphone: its internal memory is like your IQ and EQ, limited in capacity. However, when it connects to the internet via cellular data or Wi-Fi, it gains access to billions of times more information. Similarly, when we connect to the Holy Spirit, we access the "Internet of divine wisdom"—the mind of Christ—which is eternal, all-knowing, and possesses unfathomable experience. SQ is not merely accessing your own spirit or brain; it's connecting with God's Spirit, who knows everything and the future.

Transcendent thinking. This journey into SQ began for many, including the author, through practical experiences where natural solutions failed. For instance, when a new Chevy truck couldn't be fixed by conventional means, a "word of knowledge" from the Holy Spirit revealed a broken wire, leading to a supernatural fix. Such experiences open doors to progressively deeper connections with the Holy Spirit's transcendent thinking, demonstrating that SQ is a real, accessible dynamic for solving complex problems.

2. Renewing your mind unlocks divine thinking.

You can’t change your life, but if you change your mind, God will transform your life.

Transformative power. The apostle Paul exhorted us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This isn't mere behavior modification but a profound shift in our thinking and core beliefs. A renewed mind is characterized by hope, peace, confidence, quick forgiveness, and the ability to think tri-dimensionally. When these symptoms are absent, it signals a need to actively engage in mind renewal.

Bulldozing neural pathways. Scriptural meditation, unlike emptying the mind, is a proactive process of "bulldozing new neural pathways" in our brains. The Hebrew word hagah, translated as "meditate," means "to growl and declare," akin to a lion over its prey. By speaking God's Word aloud, we hack new trails through destructive thought patterns. The more we choose these "God-thoughts" over old "freeways" of negative thinking, the faster our minds are transformed, leading to success and prosperity, as seen in Joshua's life.

Core values vs. high values. A renewed mind doesn't just think differently; it believes differently. High values are truths we admire, but core values are what we actually believe, forming the lens through which we perceive the world. Faith is this lens. When faced with challenges, a renewed mind assigns negative, unbiblical thoughts to a "fiction room" because they contradict God's Word, accessing the "reality compartment" of truth. This proactive decision to believe God, putting truth above facts, moves His Word from memory to reality, changing our destiny.

3. Access your "superpowers" by partnering with the Holy Spirit.

What I am getting at is that the reason we don’t develop “the spirit of our minds” is because we usually solve life’s challenges with lower-level, natural thinking—thinking that can be based in biblical principles, but may not actually be Spirit led.

Divine advantage. God created superheroes long before comic books, empowering individuals like Daniel and his friends with divine wisdom and supernatural knowledge. Today, renewing the "spirit of our mind" allows us to tap into these "superpowers," giving us a great advantage. This involves moving beyond natural conclusions and inquiring of the Holy Spirit for His divine wisdom, which often defies logic and reason.

Forging spiritual pathways. To access spiritual intelligence, we must exit the "freeway of IQ/EQ thinking" and embrace the "SQ High-way of divine wisdom." This means proactively disciplining ourselves to forgo initial, rational conclusions to allow divine imagination to emerge. The story of Gideon, who defeated a vast army with only 300 men equipped with torches and trumpets, illustrates God's superior, often illogical, solutions.

Thinking God's thoughts. The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, knows the thoughts of God, granting us access to His imagination, visions, dreams, and spiritual words. This means we're not just thinking like God, but mirroring His actual thoughts and solutions in real-time. Building this friendship with the Holy Spirit takes time and experience, starting by asking Him what He thinks about daily situations and listening spirit-to-Spirit for His answers.

4. Discern spiritual realities to navigate a hidden war.

The truth is, most of the time real peace is only found in strength, preparation and vigilance, not in “Bed-Ins,” sit-ins and peaceful protests.

Invisible warfare. We live in a world dramatically affected by an invisible realm of unseen beings. Just as computer networks are plagued by hackers and viruses, the spirit realm is riddled with "spiritual hackers and pirates" who partner with Satan to steal, kill, and destroy. These deceptive forces often appear good or godly, making discernment crucial. Jesus warned extensively about false prophets and spirits operating in power but motivated by evil.

Spiritual cryptographers. To live prosperously, we must become "spiritual cryptographers," decoding the battle plans of our enemies. The Battle of Midway, won by decrypting enemy intelligence, serves as a metaphor for this. The gift of discernment, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10, acts as our "divine eyes and ears," converting the invisible world into something detectable. This gift helps us distinguish between angelic and demonic influences, even when the latter speaks truth, as seen with the slave girl with a spirit of divination in Acts 16.

Discerning evil spirits. The gift of discernment often manifests as feeling, hearing, smelling, or tasting the spirit troubling a person or environment. For example, feeling exhausted upon entering a store might indicate a spirit of fatigue influencing the manager. It's crucial to use this gift to build trust and help people, not to destroy reputations or succumb to suspicion, which is "discernment's wicked stepsister." The way forward is deeper into spiritual power, not withdrawal, to destroy the works of the devil.

5. Live from your heavenly seat of authority.

We are God’s “solutionaries,” commissioned to take third-heaven revelation and solve earth’s first-heaven challenges with it.

Three heavens. The Bible reveals three heavens: the first (visible world), the second (satanic realm of evil forces), and the third (God's dwelling). Our "spiritual seat"—the position from which we rule and think—determines our success. Believers are raised up with Christ and "seated with Him in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6), far above all rule and authority. This third-heaven seat grants us authority over the devil's second-heaven devices.

Third-heaven perspective. Many Christians live reactively from earth toward heaven, feeling powerless. However, we are called to live from heaven toward earth, bringing divine solutions to first-heaven problems. This means understanding that our calling, inheritance, and power are rooted in Christ's resurrection and His supreme position. Paul prayed for our hearts to be "enlightened" (photizo), converting God's light into revelation that fuels us to become "the light of the world."

Combating "Origin." A lack of understanding our authority has led to relinquishing our divine call to disciple nations. Paul identifies "rulers" (arche, meaning "origins") as demonic forces in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). This principality, "Origin," works to redefine creation's truths, leading to societal confusion on issues like:

• Origin of mankind (evolution vs. created in God's image)
• Origin of life (fetus vs. baby)
• Origin of gender (male/female design vs. chosen gender)
• Origin of family (traditional marriage vs. interchangeable parents)
  This deception fuels crises like suicide epidemics and abortion. Stepping into our heavenly seat means leading with nobility and divine wisdom to counter these destructive influences.

6. Spiritual laws govern the Kingdom, activated by faith.

The truth is that the spirit realm operates with laws superior to the laws of physics (for example, in this case freedom as opposed to slavery), but these laws are no less systematized, organized and structured than the laws of physics.

Superior ecosystem. Miracles are "signs" because they manifest when a superior law of the Spirit (third-heaven physics) superimposes itself over an inferior law of physics (first-heaven reality). These spiritual laws are systematized and non-negotiable, much like the law of gravity or lift. Understanding them is crucial for success in the Spirit. For example, the law of generosity states, "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38), ensuring a multiplied return based on the measure of our giving.

Foundation of faith. Everything in the spirit realm operates by the "law of faith." Just as gravity is foundational to the natural realm, faith is foundational to the spirit realm. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the force that transfers things from the third heaven into the visible world, actualizing dreams and overcoming visible obstacles. Without faith, spiritual intelligence remains theoretical, lacking practical application.

Proactive faith. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their "littleness of faith" (Matthew 17:20), not referring to the amount of faith, but its persistence. It takes persistent faith to move mountains. Peter walking on water, however briefly, demonstrates that faith transcends natural elements. We cannot grow our faith from the safety of the boat; we must step out. Unbelief, conversely, is a "faith force" in the wrong kingdom, attracting what we fear. We must cultivate proactive faith, learning from defeats without letting them define a culture of failure.

7. God is the ultimate source of creativity and innovation.

I would propose that we believers don’t have permission to live with limited mindsets, because God is the Father of invention!

Divine inspiration. Spiritual intelligence fuels creativity, invention, and innovation. Many great inventors throughout history, like James Clerk Maxwell (who laid the groundwork for modern communication networks) and the Wright brothers (pastor's kids who invented flight), were believers inspired by the Holy Spirit. Their discoveries demonstrate that God's attributes, power, and nature are revealed through His creation, making science a pathway to revelation, not an anti-God agenda.

Unbelieving believers. While many Christians live with limited mindsets, individuals like Elon Musk, though not professing belief in God, demonstrate "unbelieving belief" by pursuing seemingly impossible feats like colonizing Mars or building hyperloop tunnels. This highlights a critical challenge: Christians often fear creative thinking, viewing the Bible as a limiting box rather than an empowering platform. This fear, coupled with a deep-seated anxiety about deception, stifles the inherent creativity in our DNA.

R&D cultures. To foster spiritual intelligence, we need "R&D cultures" that embrace mistakes as part of the invention process, distinct from "production" cultures focused on flawless character and doctrine. The first person in the Bible filled with the Spirit, Bezalel, was a craftsman endowed with supernatural creativity to build the Tabernacle. This shows that work, especially when Spirit-filled, is spiritual warfare. When we operate in our God-anointed callings, we're not just helping people; we're "terrorizing the enemy" and fulfilling God's purpose.

8. Discern divine "kairos" moments for strategic impact.

Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?

Kairos vs. Chronos. Life operates in two types of time: chronos (measurable, chronological time) and kairos (qualitative, opportune moments). The sons of Issachar in the Old Testament were renowned for "understanding the times" (kairos), knowing what Israel should do. Kairos moments are divine epochs where God's favor meets opportunity, marked by:

• Acceleration: Things that normally take years happen suddenly (e.g., Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls in 52 days).
• Unusual occurrences: Events outside God's typical nature (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira's immediate death for lying).
• Supernatural interventions: Impossible things occurring against ridiculous odds (e.g., Joshua commanding the sun and moon to stand still).

Navigating divine shifts. God often interrupts history to create "His-story," overriding free will with His sovereignty. Spiritual ignorance of these kairos conditions can lead to disastrous outcomes, as seen with Balaam, who was spiritually blind to an angel while his donkey saw it. Similarly, King David's affair with Bathsheba occurred because he "stayed at Jerusalem" when it was "the time when kings go out to battle" (2 Samuel 11:1), misjudging his kairos season.

Changing songs. Isaiah prophesied a "new thing" that would require a "new song" (Isaiah 42:9-10), signifying a new way of thinking and a higher level of revelation about God's nature. Jesus also used "songs" to depict changing kairos seasons, noting that religious leaders failed to mourn with John the Baptist's "dirge" or dance with His "flute" (Luke 7:31-35). In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned struggle with a world that no longer exists. We must remain teachable to discern the "song" God is playing in our lives and respond appropriately.

9. Collective SQ and spiritual inheritance empower the Church.

Whatever I gain in the Spirit, I can therefore pass to you through the Holy Spirit whom we both share.

Spiritual Internet. The Holy Spirit living in us individually and collectively creates a "spiritual Internet," allowing us to access collective intelligence and "AirDrop" spiritual gifts. Paul explained that the "same Spirit" works through diverse gifts, ministries, and effects (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), correcting the polytheistic idea that each gift comes from a different god. This means our human spirits are in union through the Holy Spirit, enabling the transfer of spiritual gains and abilities.

Impartation and inheritance. This spiritual AirDrop is exemplified by Paul reminding Timothy of the gift "bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery" (1 Timothy 4:14). This transfer of spiritual abilities requires Timothy to labor intensely to grow the gift. Furthermore, spiritual victories and faith can become a "spiritual inheritance" for future generations, as seen in Timothy's faith, which first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5).

Collective reasoning. The phrase "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) implies a collective spiritual intelligence, not just individual. This collective SQ manifests when the Spirit flows in harmony through individual members of the Body of Christ, preserving "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). This practical love and unity are catalysts for collective intelligence, enabling the Church to operate with a profound, shared wisdom that transcends individual capacities.

10. New Covenant believers possess unparalleled advantages.

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Greater than Old Testament saints. Jesus declared that the "least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than" John the Baptist, the greatest prophet of the Old Covenant (Matthew 11:11). This profound statement highlights the incredible advantage New Testament believers have. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are "new creatures" (2 Corinthians 5:17), transformed into His likeness, with a new heart and mind, unlike Old Testament believers who still had a sin nature.

Twenty supernatural advantages. As born-again believers, we are equipped with unparalleled spiritual advantages:

• Seated in heavenly places with Christ, granting eternal perspectives.
• The Creator Himself lives inside us, not just upon us.
• Friends of God, with access to divine revelation (John 15:15).
• Angelic insights and oversight.
• Enlightened and have access to the powers of the age to come.
• God-prepared for good works, designed for mission.
• Authority and power over all evil (Luke 9:1).
• Called to disciple nations and be cultural architects.
• Five dimensions of wisdom: Holy Spirit's gift, mind of Christ, timeless, manifold, and collective.
• Gift of prophecy (foretelling and forthtelling).
• Gift of discernment for navigating the unseen realm.
• Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and provides revelation.
• Gift of the word of knowledge for divine facts.

Unleashing potential. The discrepancy between these promised advantages and the Church's current influence often stems from spiritual intelligence being "imprisoned" by religion, fear of man, and mediocrity. This has reduced brilliant believers to an "echo rather than a voice." However, Isaiah prophesied a coming reformation where God's people will "Arise, shine" (Isaiah 60:1), attracting nations and kings with divine favor and supernatural insights. This "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) watches as we run our race, leaving a legacy of transcended thinking and heaven-inspired solutions for future generations.