In the context of biblical teachings,
there are generally three types
- of people described based on their spiritual condition and response to God’s truth. These categories help illustrate the different ways individuals relate to God and His Word:
- 1. **The Natural Person (Unbeliever)**:
– **1 Corinthians 2:14**: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
– **Romans 8:7-8**: “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” - Characteristics:
– The natural person refers to those who are spiritually dead in sin and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3).
– They are unable to understand or accept spiritual truths because they do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
– Their minds are focused on worldly desires and priorities, and they are often characterized by rebellion against God and His ways. - 2. **The Carnal Person (Worldly Believer)**:
– **1 Corinthians 3:1-3**: “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” - Characteristics:
– The carnal person refers to a believer who is saved by faith in Christ but continues to live according to worldly desires and sinful nature.
– They may struggle with spiritual immaturity, selfishness, and worldly attitudes despite having knowledge of God’s truth.
– Their lives may be marked by division, jealousy, and other behaviors that do not align with God’s will and character. - 3. **The Spiritual Person (Spiritually Mature Believer)**:
– **1 Corinthians 2:15-16**: “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
– **Galatians 5:22-25**: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” - Characteristics:
– The spiritual person refers to a believer who is mature in their faith and actively growing in their relationship with God.
– They are characterized by bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and seeking to live according to God’s Word and His will.
– They have a deep understanding of spiritual truths, are led by the Holy Spirit, and demonstrate Christ-like attitudes and behaviors in their daily lives. - These categories help illustrate the progression of spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life. The goal for every believer is to move from being a natural person (unbeliever) to a spiritual person (mature believer) through faith in Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to following God’s Word and His ways.
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