Perception of a Natural Man and a Spiritual Man
Bro. Aby Kuruvilla, Mumbai
Paul, a scholarly religious Jew, describes his pre-converted life as being a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious (1 Tim. 1:13). This is the working of the unconverted man or unregenerate soul. He opposes the working of the Spirit (Rom. 8:7). He may gladly engage in natural things; a cup of coffee, a football game, or anything that does not involve a spiritual exercise. But if the gospel is shared, or if spiritual matters are discussed, you’ll will find him becoming uneasy.
The scripture points out that “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14).
Notice the three aspects of the natural man:
- His appreciation – he receiveth not
There is no desire or interest in him to partake of the spiritual things. Cain is the earliest example of one who had no interest in the things of God (Gen. 4:16).
- His valuation – foolishness
He measures spiritual things with the yardstick of worldly wisdom. To the Greeks, Christ crucified was foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23).
- His comprehension – neither can he know them
He cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God using his own mind. Nicodemus struggled to understand what it meant to be born-again (John 3:4).
A Spirit-quickened born-again experience is necessary to truly fellowship with God. If there’s no evidence of a regenerated life in us, it is important to examine if we are still in the flesh. They that are (born) after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are (born) after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5).
Then, these are the marks of the Spirit-minded man:
- His priorities – The kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)
- His possessions – Things which are Jesus Christ’s (Phil. 2:21)
- His passions – Things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5)
- His perspective – Things that are above where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God (Col. 3:1)
- His preoccupation – Things that are virtuous and praise-worthy (Phil. 4:8)
- His proclamation – A heavenly country (Heb. 11:16)
This list is but a feeble glimpse into the numerous things the scripture characterizes as traits of the spiritually minded. However, for practical purposes, let us contrast the spiritual man under the same headings we considered earlier for the natural man.
- His appreciation of Christ
Paul’s appreciation of Christ grew manifold as he matured in the faith (see, Acts 9:3; 22:6; 26:13 – light). It is essential to feed on Christ daily above all the ministry that we can engage in. This is what will truly transform us – “beholding… the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18).
- His valuation of the things of God
Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God (Heb. 11:25). We all have choices to make. Choices between our own things and the things of God. Valuing the things of God rightly requires our sacrifice, our resolve and our devotion. David said, “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24).
- His comprehension of Christ
Paul expresses a great desire for the saints that they may be filled into all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:17-19). When the surpassing knowledge of the love of Christ is comprehended with all the saints, it will become practically evident in the child of God being filled into all the fullness of God, i.e., becoming Christ-like.
Notice how the traits of the spiritual man are stated as expectations, unlike the natural man where it was innately exhibited. The spiritual man is enabled to live a Spirit-led life.
That doesn’t mean that the natural man ceases to exist. Therefore, though we are in this sinful flesh, let us nurture the spiritual man, through the help of the Spirit, that we may grow up into Christ in all things (Gal. 6:8; Eph. 4:15). G&P
