NATURAL? SPIRITUAL? OR CARNAL?
I CORINTHIANS 2:11-3:6
INTRODUCTION: If I asked you to line up with one of these particular groups, with which group would you stand? You say, “I don’t even know what they all mean.” Well then, let me explain.
I The Natural Man – Dead
See 2:14. Look at the marks of a natural man.
A. He is Dead Spiritually: “Without the spirit”. He does what comes naturally. He’s only what he is from the first birth. The new birth has not been experienced. He’s not born again. This person is minus the spirit of God. He may be outstanding, intellectual, charming or well-educated but he’s dead! See Eph. 3:1; Rom 8:9.
B. He is Depraved Intellectually: “Foolishness” (1:28). He has no welcome for Christ or appreciation for spiritual things.
C. He is Darkened Mentally: “Cannot understand”. He does not comprehend spiritual matters. It’s nonsense to him. He will not comprehend until the spirit opens his understanding. (Luke 24:13)
II. The Spiritual Man – Dynamic
See 2:15. Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The spirit comes to develop the character of Christ in the believer. Look at his marks.
A. He Enjoys the Thrill of Victory (2:15): That’s not to say he doesn’t have defeats, failure or conflict. Life is a constant battle. Satan is his target. But his life is on the upward trend. Rom. 8:31, II cor. 2:14.
B. He Experiences the Triump of Growth: This is a progressive growth that is becoming ore like Christ. He hasn’t arrived, he’s just on his way.
C. He Exhibits Fruitfulness: John 15:16.
III. The Carnal Man – Divisive
See 3:1. The first does what comes natural. The second does the supernatural. This one does what is unnatural. Note the word “brothers”. Here’s a saved person acting like a lost person. What are his marks?
A. He is Mastered by the Flesh: There is constant conflict and repeated defeats. The old nature is winning. He is desperately unhappy. He is torn by envy, strife and division (v.3). There is no joy. Tragically, he is usually the center of division and the reason for heartache.
B. He is Marred in Growth (3:1-2): He won’t grow up. If he’s not the center of attention he becomes sensitive, irritable, confrontational and quickly angered.
C. He Manifests Worldliness: He is fruitless and worldly. He tries to run with the hare and hunt with the hound. He’s not too active in the life of the church other than causing a disturbance. He’s not reliable or dependable. He’s powerless, miserable and divisive.
CONCLUSION: The answer for the natural man is to trust Jesus for salvation. The issue for the spiritual man is to keep on growing. The carnal man needs to commit and fully surrender. Natural? Spiritual? or Carnal?
