What Does It Mean That “No One Can Say ‘Jesus is Lord’ Except by the Holy Spirit”?

Key Verse:

1 Corinthians 12:3 (NKJV)
“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

At first glance, this verse might seem confusing. Anyone can verbally say “Jesus is Lord,” right? Even those who don’t truly follow Christ could say those words. So what is Paul really saying here?

The answer lies in the spiritual depth of the confession. Paul is not referring to a mere verbal utterance, but to a genuine acknowledgment of Jesus’ divine lordship, prompted by the indwelling and revelation of the Holy Spirit.

1. Confessing Jesus as Lord Is a Spiritual Act, Not Just Words

Paul explains that true faith in Jesus’ lordship comes through spiritual revelation, not human logic or tradition. Jesus is not merely a historical figure or a good teacher—He is God incarnate, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This confession is not just reciting a creed; it is a response to divine revelation brought by the Holy Spirit. Only someone touched, convicted, and regenerated by the Spirit can truly and meaningfully declare “Jesus is Lord.”

2. True Confession Comes From the Heart

Jesus warned that not everyone who outwardly claims Him will be saved:

Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven… Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

This clearly shows that verbal acknowledgment without obedience and transformation is empty. Real confession is always accompanied by repentance, obedience, and a changed life.

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Confession

It is the Holy Spirit who:

Reveals who Jesus truly is (John 16:13-14)
Regenerates the believer (Titus 3:5)
Assures us of our adoption (Romans 8:15-16)
Enables us to live in obedience to Christ (Galatians 5:22-25)

Without the Holy Spirit, any confession of Jesus lacks power and authenticity.

John 16:13-14 (NKJV)
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth… He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

4. You Cannot Have the Holy Spirit and Curse Jesus

This is why Paul also says in the same verse (1 Corinthians 12:3) that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can say, “Jesus is accursed.” The Holy Spirit always leads us to honor, worship, and submit to Jesus. Any attitude or belief that degrades or dishonors Christ is clear evidence that the Spirit is not present.

5. How Then Can We Confess Christ Rightly?

Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom, we must be born again:

John 3:5 (NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Being born again involves:

True repentance (turning from sin)
Water baptism (public identification with Christ)
Receiving the Holy Spirit (empowerment to live for God)

Only then can our words of faith come from a genuine place. After that transformation, every prayer, every praise, and every confession we make—“Jesus is Lord”—will be Spirit-led, meaningful, and effective.

6. A Holy Confession Requires a Holy Life

2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’”

Confessing Jesus as Lord requires more than words—it requires us to turn away from sin and live in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ.

Conclusion:

To truly say “Jesus is Lord” in a way that honors God and reflects saving faith, you must be born again through the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, your confession becomes real, powerful, and pleasing to God. Without Him, even the most religious words are just noise.

Let’s not settle for lip service. Let’s seek a heart transformation through repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit—so that when we say “Jesus is Lord,” we say it in truth and power.

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)

Please share this message with others—it’s the Good News the world needs.

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