Saying “Jesus is Lord”: Spirit, Rhetoric, and Reality. In 1 Corinthians 12:3, Paul makes a striking claim: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” At first glance, this raises questions. People can mouth those words today without any transformation. Even Jesus Himself warned: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).