--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not for us to imagine that we can…" description: "\"It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity except the Hol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/782/j-i-packer-1856_almighty_it-is-not-for-us-to-imagine-that-we-can_1232614.jpg" --- # It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of… ![“It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity except the Holy Spirit, by his own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart. It is the sovereign prerogative of Christ's Spirit to convince men's consciences…” quote by J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/782/j-i-packer-1856_almighty_it-is-not-for-us-to-imagine-that-we-can_1232614.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/782/j-i-packer-1856_almighty_it-is-not-for-us-to-imagine-that-we-can_1232614.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/782/j-i-packer-1856_almighty_it-is-not-for-us-to-imagine-that-we-can_1232614.jpg) > “It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity except the Holy Spirit, by his own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart. It is the sovereign prerogative of Christ's Spirit to convince men's consciences of the truth of Christ's gospel; and Christ's human witnesses must learn to ground their hopes of success not on clever presentation of the truth by man, but on powerful demonstration of the truth by the Spirit.” [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Spiritual truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit, not human reasoning. **In simple terms:** Spirit reveals truth. Key Takeaway Seek the Spirit’s guidance. Themes faith spirituality authority Mood contemplative reverent Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal prayer - church teaching - spiritual formation Key Concepts divine revelation theology humility Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance faith and reason? - What role does the Spirit play in your understanding? A Different Perspective Relying solely on the Spirit may neglect reasoned discernment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Almighty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/almighty/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Clever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Demonstration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demonstration/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Prerogative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prerogative/) [Presentation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presentation/) [Sovereign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereign/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hendryx/it-is-not-for-us-to-imagine-that-we-can-prove-the-truth-of-2/) [John Hendryx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hendryx/) > [Yet, analytical truth is not as mysterious, or as secret, so as to not allow us to see that people with a talent for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lacan/yet-analytical-truth-is-not-as-mysterious-or-as-secret-so-as-to-not/) [Jacques Lacan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lacan/) > [When we know our own strength, we shall the better know what to undertake with hopes of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/when-we-know-our-own-strength-we-shall-the-better-know-what-to/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [As to myself, if I were not a Calvinist, I think I should have no more hope of success in preaching to men, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/as-to-myself-if-i-were-not-a-calvinist-i-think-i-should-have-no-more/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [There will be boots on the ground if there's to be any hope of success in the strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-gates/there-will-be-boots-on-the-ground-if-there-s-to-be-any-hope-of/) [Robert M. Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-gates/) > [The secret of the true love of work is the hope of success in that work; not for the money reward, for the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-abram-weltmer/the-secret-of-the-true-love-of-work-is-the-hope-of-success-in-that/) Sidney Abram Weltmer > [Learn from yesterday, live for today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/learn-from-yesterday-live-for-today/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It is our confidence in the sovereign grace of God that gives us any hope of success in missions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/it-is-our-confidence-in-the-sovereign-grace-of-god-that-gives-us-any/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [ He \[the golfer\] must have the courage to keep trying in the face of ill luck or disappointment, and timidity to appreciate and appraise… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jones/he-the-golfer-must-have-the-courage-to-keep-trying-in-the-face-of-ill/) [Bobby Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jones/) > [“In fact, when we listen to the church today, at least in the West, we are often left with impression that Christianity actually has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-wells/in-fact-when-we-listen-to-the-church-today-at-least-in-the-west-we/) [David F. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-wells/) > [“Contemplating the extinction of Christian communities, others might also be moved to consider profound issues of meaning, which recall the agonized dilemmas of Jewish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-jenkins/contemplating-the-extinction-of-christian-communities-others-might/) [Philip Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-jenkins/) > [If you wish to assured of the truth of Christianity, try it. Believe, and if thy belief be right, that insight which gradually transmutes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/if-you-wish-to-assured-of-the-truth-of-christianity-try-it-believe/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I believe that in a certain way this is proof of the truth of Christianity: Heart and reason encounter one another, beauty and truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/i-believe-that-in-a-certain-way-this-is-proof-of-the-truth-of/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [For me, apologetics proved to be the turning point of my life and eternity. I'm thankful for the scholars who so passionately and effectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-strobel/for-me-apologetics-proved-to-be-the-turning-point-of-my-life-and/) [Lee Strobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-strobel/) > [“Many of us Christians have become extremely skillful in arranging our lives so as to admit the truth of Christianity without being embarrassed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/many-of-us-christians-have-become-extremely-skillful-in-arranging-our/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) ## More by J. I. Packer > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/what-matters-supremely-therefore-is-not-in-the-last-analysis-the-fact/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/for-what-higher-more-exalted-and-more-compelling-goal-can-there-be/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Fanciful spiritualizing, so far from yielding God's meaning, actually obscured it. The literal sense is itself the spiritual sense, coming from God and leading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/fanciful-spiritualizing-so-far-from-yielding-god-s-meaning-actually/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Grace means God sending his only Son to the cross to descend into hell so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/grace-means-god-sending-his-only-son-to-the-cross-to-descend-into/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [God made life, and God alone can tell us its meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/god-made-life-and-god-alone-can-tell-us-its-meaning/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God's near presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/revival-is-the-visitation-of-god-which-brings-to-life-christians-who/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [There are few things stressed more strongly in the Bible than the reality of God's work as Judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/there-are-few-things-stressed-more-strongly-in-the-bible-than-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Maturity is a compound of wisdom, goodwill, resilience, and creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/maturity-is-a-compound-of-wisdom-goodwill-resilience-and-creativity/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [The peace of God is first and foremost peace with God; it is the state of affairs in which God, instead of being against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/the-peace-of-god-is-first-and-foremost-peace-with-god-it-is-the-state/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Today, on our own turf, we face pagan ignorance about God every bit as deep as that which the early church faced in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/today-on-our-own-turf-we-face-pagan-ignorance-about-god-every-bit-as/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [God is triune; there are within the Godhead three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and the work of salvation is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/god-is-triune-there-are-within-the-godhead-three-persons-the-father/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [It is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/it-is-often-the-case-as-all-the-saints-know-that-fellowship-with-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [A little knowledge OF God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge ABOUT him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/a-little-knowledge-of-god-is-worth-more-than-a-great-deal-of/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Explore all 203 J. I. Packer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) ## More Almighty quotes > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“The LORD Almighty is our very present helper at all times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-lord-almighty-is-our-very-present-helper-at-all-times/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I really appreciate leaders from around the globe who have come to share in prayer with us today. It reminds me that the Almighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-really-appreciate-leaders-from-around-the-globe-who-have-come-to/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Thi is the malady onf the humans, that they can hold on to that which is fleeting and of little consequence and call it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fabry/thi-is-the-malady-onf-the-humans-that-they-can-hold-on-to-that-which/) [Chris Fabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fabry/) > [There is nothing more appalling than the wholesale way in which unthinking people plead to the Almighty the richest and most spiritual of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-drummond/there-is-nothing-more-appalling-than-the-wholesale-way-in-which/) [William Henry Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-drummond/) > [And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salmon-p-chase/and-upon-this-act-sincerely-believed-to-be-an-act-of-justice/) [Salmon P. Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salmon-p-chase/) > [When you hear somebody justifying a war by citing the Almighty, I get a little worried, frankly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-reagan/when-you-hear-somebody-justifying-a-war-by-citing-the-almighty-i-get/) [Ron Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-reagan/) > [My journey deep into coma, outside this lowly physical realm and into the loftiest dwelling place of the almighty Creator, revealed the indescribably immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-alexander/my-journey-deep-into-coma-outside-this-lowly-physical-realm-and-into/) [Eben Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-alexander/) > [People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil—soil consecrated in the blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-macarthur/people-of-the-philippines-i-have-returned-by-the-grace-of-almighty/) [Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/) > [The First Amendment exists to protect our religious liberty--to ensure that all Americans are able to seek out worship God with all our hearts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-first-amendment-exists-to-protect-our-religious-liberty-to-ensure/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [It is mind-boggling to me that the Almighty power created everything I see; the Bible says that God created the entire universe just so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/it-is-mind-boggling-to-me-that-the-almighty-power-created-everything/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [If there is anyone who loves you more than you love yourself are your mother and almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/if-there-is-anyone-who-loves-you-more-than-you-love-yourself-are-your/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/i-m-not-denyin-the-women-are-foolish-god-almighty-made-em-to-match/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) [Browse all 723 Almighty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/almighty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity except the Holy Spirit, by his own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart. It is the sovereign prerogative of Christ's Spirit to convince men's consciences of the truth of Christ's gospel; and Christ's human witnesses must learn to ground their hopes of success not on clever presentation of the truth by man, but on powerful demonstration of the truth by the Spirit.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. I. 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