The Three Types of People According to the Bible
The Bible presents three distinct types of people, each defined by their relationship with God and their response to spiritual truth. These categories are the natural person, the spiritual person, and the carnal person. These terms describe the state of a person’s heart, mind, and soul in relation to God, His Word, and His Holy Spirit. Understanding these types of people is crucial in understanding the broader biblical narrative about human nature and how individuals relate to God.
1. The Natural Person
Key Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 2:14-15: “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments.”
- Romans 8:5-8: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
Explanation:
The natural person (also called the “unbeliever” or “unregenerate person”) is someone who has not received the Holy Spirit and is not spiritually reborn. This individual lives in the flesh, focusing primarily on the material world and relying on their natural, human reasoning. They are unable to understand the things of God because spiritual truths can only be discerned through the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Characteristics of the Natural Person:
- Rejection of Spiritual Truth: They cannot accept or comprehend the gospel message, viewing it as foolishness or nonsensical (1 Corinthians 1:18). The natural mind cannot understand spiritual realities without the Holy Spirit’s intervention.
- Dominated by the Flesh: Their desires and actions are guided by the flesh, or the sinful nature. They live for their own selfish desires and are controlled by worldly values and pleasures (Romans 8:5-8).
- Lack of Spiritual Discernment: The natural person is spiritually blind and incapable of understanding God’s Word. They may acknowledge the existence of God but are indifferent or hostile to His moral laws and salvation plan (Romans 1:18-23).
Spiritual Condition: The natural person remains in a state of separation from God. They are spiritually dead, not having been made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). They may seek truth or fulfillment in earthly pursuits, but without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, they remain disconnected from God’s saving grace.
2. The Spiritual Person
Key Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 2:15: “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments.”
- Galatians 5:16-17: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
- Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.”
Explanation:
The spiritual person is one who has been born again by the Holy Spirit and now lives according to the guidance of the Spirit of God. This person has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and has experienced the transformation that comes through faith in Him. The spiritual person is spiritually alive, understands spiritual truths, and seeks to live in harmony with God’s will.
- Characteristics of the Spiritual Person:
- Receptive to God’s Truth: The spiritual person is receptive to the Word of God and understands it deeply. They are not just hearers of the Word but doers of it (James 1:22-25). They have spiritual discernment and a deep understanding of the mysteries of the faith (1 Corinthians 2:15).
- Indwelt by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit resides in the life of the spiritual person, guiding them, convicting them of sin, and empowering them to live righteously (Romans 8:9). The Spirit helps them grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Walks in Obedience: The spiritual person desires to follow God’s commandments, living a life that is pleasing to God. They exhibit Christ-like behavior and prioritize God’s will over personal desires (Romans 8:5-6).
Spiritual Condition: The spiritual person is reconciled with God and enjoys intimate fellowship with Him. They live by the power of the Holy Spirit and are constantly being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Their ultimate goal is to glorify God in all that they do.
3. The Carnal Person (The Fleshly Person)
Key Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-3: “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?”
- Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Romans 7:14: “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.”
Explanation:
The carnal person (also called the “fleshly person”) is someone who is a believer in Christ but continues to live according to the flesh and its desires. This person has received Christ but has not fully surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life. They may struggle with immaturity, disobedience, and a lack of spiritual growth, often living in conflict between their fleshly desires and their spiritual calling.
- Characteristics of the Carnal Person:
- Spiritual Immaturity: The carnal person has not matured in their faith. They are often compared to infants in Christ, still needing “milk” rather than solid food. Their lives are characterized by divisions, jealousy, and quarrels, indicating a lack of spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
- Living in the Flesh: Though they may have accepted Christ, the carnal person continues to live according to the desires of the flesh. Their actions often reflect worldly desires, such as selfishness, pride, anger, and sexual immorality (Galatians 5:19-21). They may struggle with sin and may be inconsistent in their spiritual walk.
- Lack of Full Submission to the Holy Spirit: The carnal person may still be under the influence of sin and is not fully yielding to the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. They may experience internal conflict, as they desire to live for God but often fall short because they are relying on their own strength (Romans 7:14).
Spiritual Condition: The carnal person is in a state of spiritual conflict. They are saved by grace but have not fully embraced sanctification through the Holy Spirit. As a result, their spiritual life is stunted, and they experience frustration and defeat in their walk with God. They need to grow in their understanding of God’s Word and submit more fully to His will.
Conclusion
The Bible presents these three types of people to help us understand the various stages and conditions of the human heart in relation to God.
- The natural person is spiritually dead, unable to understand God’s truth.
- The spiritual person is alive in Christ, walking in the Spirit and growing in spiritual maturity.
- The carnal person is a believer who is still struggling with the desires of the flesh, not fully yielded to the Holy Spirit, and in need of spiritual growth.
As Christians, we are called to move from being natural people to becoming spiritual people, and if we find ourselves as carnal people, we are urged to grow in our relationship with God, submitting to His Spirit for transformation.



















