1Cor.2:13-14: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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.
A. Natural Man
Who is the Natural Man?
- The Bible says, to the natural man the things of God are foolishness. Why? Because the things of God are only spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:14)
- For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (Jas 1:23 )
- This is so because the corrupt nature has a hostile attitude toward God. It refuses to place itself under the authority of God’s standards because it can’t. Those under the control of the corrupt nature can’t please God. But if God’s Spirit (your new nature, not the Holy Spirit) lives in you, you are under the control of your spiritual nature, not your corrupt nature. Whoever doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ (your new nature, not the Holy Spirit) doesn’t belong to him. (Romans 8:7-9)
- The natural man is human nature without the spirit.
- The natural man is the one who is ruled by his senses.
- The natural man is a man who is not spiritual-minded;
- The natural man is unregenerated ( not renewed, not revived, not restored), whose interests are confined to the things of this life.
- The natural man depends on human wisdom to solve all his problems.
- The natural man lives to please himself and to gratify the desires of the unconverted heart including a mental understanding of Biblical principles.
- The natural man may have a great deal of knowledge but lacks spiritual wisdom.
B. Spiritual Man
Who is the Spiritual Man?
- Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13)
- But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he is judged of no man. (1Co 2:15)
- The spiritual man can discern the things of God.
- Things long hidden are revealed by the illuminating work of the Spirit, not by human wisdom.
- The spiritual man sets his mind on the things of the spirit. What are the “things of the Spirit”? They are those things that the Holy Spirit was sent to reveal. John 14:25-26
- The Spiritual man is a person re-born, experiencing a new creation that leads to a new life.
- The Spiritual man now belongs to the Lord. He is God’s special child who lives as a pilgrim or sojourner on earth.
- The spiritual man has no desire or appetite for the things of the world.
- The mysteries of God are not understood by a carnal person, somebody who relies on his brain to understand a matter.
- The spirit you have received searches the deep things of God.
- The deep things of God are only revealed to your spirit man, so if your spirit-man is not mature you can only know little of the things of God, so you need to have a matured spirit-man. Your spirit-man gets matured by edifying it through tongues and feeding it by assimilating God’s Word.
- You need the illumination of the Lord to see, hear, and understand revelations
- The Holy Spirit comes and takes a seat in your spirit man. He becomes a resident teacher to teach, instruct, and commune with your spiritman to enable you to know what you should know.
- The spirit you have received can be lighted. By the illumination of your spirit, you can find out what God has freely given to you.
- The spirit you have received is the one that God uses as a candle to light revelations in you.
- God is Spirit and the only way that you get to know Him is by your spirit. If your spirit does not catch what you read from the Bible or what you hear, you will never know it.
- When you are led by your new nature, there is no error with it.
Difference Between the Natural Man and the Spiritual Man
- The natural man is directed by his or her abilities and human nature, A spiritual man is directed by what the Holy Spirit teaches. He or she is directed by his or her relationship with the Holy Spirit.
- The natural man seeks the path that reflects the norms and accepted perspectives of society, The spiritual man perceives the things of God, is in love with Christ, and desires nothing more than to seek His will and help to become more like Him.
- The thoughts and conversation of the natural man center around his interests and accomplishments. Self is the center, The spiritual man fills his or her thoughts and conversations with HIS Word. Christ is the center.
- With The natural man, he says “I do for God”. With The spiritual man, he says “I do with God”.
- The natural man has fears and anxiety. He sees God as distant and not interested in his personal life. The natural man seeks to control things himself. The Spiritual man is secure and in peace. He knows God loves him. He knows Christ reflects love, commitment, peace, and faith toward him even when circumstances are difficult.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, we have received a spirit that is empowered to make our soul new. The spirit we have received is the one searching the deep things of God. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in your spirit. It is this spirit we have received that will enable you to know the measure of what God has for you. Sin has no dominion over the spirit you have received.
The new nature you have received is alive, so if you choose not to limit it, you will also heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out devils freely.
If Jesus was to be still living on the surface of the earth whatever HE would have been doing – that is what you should do daily.
Again spend more hours praying in tongues.