Natural, Carnal, and Spiritual People

There are natural people, carnal people, and spiritual people. Let’s explore the differences between them.

Natural

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

The natural man (person) is one who is not born-again. He (or she) is dead to God in his spirit so he is not spiritual. He is earthly, living by natural means and depending on what he’s learned and knows naturally. Spiritual things are foolish to him. If it does not make sense naturally, he rejects it. He rejects things that are of the Spirit of God. He can’t know God with natural means, with his head, so he relies on human intellect. If he can’t figure God out, he rejects God’s existence. Natural man can be saved, but it requires the Holy Spirit to draw him to a place where he is willing to reject his own natural understanding.

Carnal

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? I Corinthians 3:1-2 (KJV)

The carnal man (person) is a new creation, meaning he (or she) has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and is born-again. However, he is ruled by his flesh, thus he is carnal. Carnal is the Greek word sarkinos, meaning consisting of flesh. He is not spiritual because he has not grown up spiritually. he is still a baby Christian. He has not taken the time to grow in the knowledge of God by spending time in the Word of God. He is governed by his five senses rather than by the Holy Spirit working through his spirit. As long as he is carnal, he remains a baby in Christ and is limited in what he can do for the kingdom. We must feed on the solid food, the meat of God’s Word, and be ruled by the Holy Spirit, to progress beyond the carnal stage of Christianity.

Spiritual

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. I Cornthians 2:15 (KJV)

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I Corinthians 3:1 (KJV) emphasis mine

The spiritual man (person) is one who has been born-again and goes deeper with God. He has experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaks in tongues. This person’s mind has been renewed to God’s Word (Romans 8:2). He thinks, talks, and acts like God. He receives the things of God by discerning and believing that which is of God. He feeds and acts on the meat of God’s Word daily to mature and remain a spiritual person. He is one who walks in the Spirit, is led by the Spirit and does God’s Word.

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth is hindered by a lack of the Word. We must be taught the Word, and we must study it on a daily basis. It helps us overcome envy, strife, division and such. To grow we must repent of all sin and make a quality decision that we will pursue spiritual growth by learning and acting on God’s Word. Thus, we become spiritual people, people who are maturing in God and growing up into a full person in Christ. The five-fold ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers- Ephesians 4:7-16) help us to do this. As we avail ourselves of these gifts, these people, we become more spiritual. As Christians, we are to seek to be spiritual people and to move beyond carnality. This is how we walk in the fullness of God.