I Corinthians 3:1-4- I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ....
The Bible categorizes every man in one of these three categories: natural, spiritual and carnal. Everyone falls into one of these three categories. Let's look at these 3 positions of man.
The natural man: This describes the way that every person comes into the world. We are all born of the flesh and we remain in this category unless the "new birth" takes place within our lives. While we are in this position, we are ruled and governed by our flesh and all of its desires. We are the servant of sin and according to Eph. 2:1-3: "we walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air". The natural man doesn't understand the love of God nor does he see the need for redemption. Paul said that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to him. The apostle said that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness." (I Corinthians 1:18). The things of God are foreign to the natural man. The Word of God is an enigma to him. He doesn't understand the things of the Spirit, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. This type of person needs the work of the Holy Spirit in their life to open their understanding and their hearts so that the redemptive work of cross can be received.
The spiritual man: The spiritual man is one whose spirit has come alive through faith in Jesus Christ. His mind and life are no longer governed by the flesh and the desires of the flesh, but they are now governed by the Spirit of God. It is amazing to me that what was once a mystery and unattainable in ones self can by the Spirit of God become understandable and receivable. The good news, the gospel of God has taken root within our lives and we become aware of our great need of Him. By surrendering our lives to the control of God, we leave the natural realm of man behind and we are transformed or "birth" into the spiritual realm. Again Eph. tells us that we are quickened or "made alive" and removed from our trespasses and sins.
The carnal man: We see Paul mention this type of man in our verse for today. The "carnal Christian" is the man who has been awakened by the Spirit of God to his need of Jesus Christ and has received Jesus into his life as his Saviour - but he has never submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus. Thus, he is one who believes in Jesus Christ as his Saviour but is still ruled by his flesh. Paul said, I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for you have not been able to receive it before, neither are you able now." The carnal Christian has never grown beyond the crib or beyond the bottle. He is still in the infancy state in regards to his walk with the Lord. There is no depth of spiritual comprehension. This type of person may have become a Christian years ago but they are still in the spiritual crib, gumming baby food and soiling their spiritual diapers. God wants his children to develop and to become mature in our walk with Him. He is, by the work of the Spirit wanting us to reflect the image of His dear Son.
There are those who would argue that if you're carnal then you can't be a Christian, and if you're a Christian then you can't be carnal." But Paul refers to them as both "carnal" and as "babes in Christ." They are in Christ - yet tragically they are still babes. Paul again instructs us that we "henceforth be no more as babes, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into that complete man in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 4:13-15). I pray that God helps each of us to get beyond the infancy stage and that we "grow up" into the men and women of God that He has destined us to become.
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