Observation: The apostle Paul is attempting to stay later focused on preaching Christ Crucified. As an accomplished Pharisee, Paul knew how to use crafty words and persuasive arguments. He leaves these tricks behind in order to preach Christ Crucified and Risen. Essentially he had to fuhgeddaboudit. Instead, he trusts the power of the Holy Spirit not the power and wisdom of the world.
Application: Sometimes, I'm too smart for my own good. I often believe I need to focus my attention on the things of this world, using new technology, finding the latest and greatest app, or find out what is trending. The truth is, announcing and proclaiming Christ Crucified and Risen is not as hard as it looks. I got a great opportunity to see this lived out in 30k youth in Detroit. But what Paul says here rings true for me as sometimes I need to fuhgeddabouit.
Prayer: Lord, I hand back the power of preaching your Son so that I may simply be used according to who you have called me to be.