The Spiritual Man
You were born resembling your parents, but you will die reflecting the sum of the decisions and choices you make in life. From a spiritual perspective, there are three types of individuals:
- The Natural Man (1 Corinthians 2:14)
- Rejects the Spirit: This person does not receive the things of the Spirit.
- Inactive Spirit: Their spiritual self is not activated.
- Views Spirituality as Foolishness: Spiritual matters seem nonsensical to them.
- Lacks Encounter with Jesus: They have yet to experience a personal relationship with Christ.
2. The Carnal Man (1 Corinthians 3:1)
- Believer but Fleshly: Though saved and having encountered Jesus, this individual is a slave to the flesh.
- Controlled by Flesh: Despite being a believer, he is dominated by earthly desires.
- Underdeveloped Spiritual Faculty: Their spiritual abilities are not fully developed or transformed.
- Disobedient: They often disregard the word of God.
- Argumentative: They struggle to engage with spiritual matters humbly and meekly.
3. The Spiritual Man (Romans 8:6)
- Saved and Transformed: This individual has been changed by the word of God.
- Spiritually Minded: They focus on spiritual truths.
- Obedient to God’s Word: Their life reflects a commitment to God’s teachings.
You transition from a natural man to a spiritual man by giving your life to Christ, renewing your mind through the word of God, and allowing the Spirit to guide your life instead of the flesh.
Five Features of a True Spiritual Man
- Your Affection
- Your heart and priorities must center on Jesus and His purposes above all else. When you walk with God, your desires will align with His when He becomes your highest obsession. Over time, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you can reach a point where nothing can replace God’s role in your life.
- Spirituality is not assumed; it is a journey of dying to self. The extent to which you diminish self-centeredness reflects your spiritual growth. God desires to be first in your life and will allow other priorities to falter until only He remains.
- The deeper your spiritual maturity, the less you fear losing worldly attachments. Obedience to God’s calling — whether in your life, ambition, ministry, or finances — demonstrates your spirituality.
2. Your Mentality
- Your initial response to life’s challenges should stem from a spiritual mindset rooted in the word of God. Viewing life through God’s lens means being spiritually minded, which comes from consistent submission to Scripture (Acts 20:32, Romans 8:6). A spiritual man understands his identity as a king and a priest, aware that his words carry weight and impact.
3. Led by the Holy Spirit
- A spiritual man submits to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit has three key roles:
- Life-Giving Force: He sustains all of creation.
- Conviction: He convicts unbelievers of their sins.
- Guidance for Believers: He offers direction, revelation, and empowerment.
4. Passion for Obedience
- Spiritual individuals are characterized by their obedience (Isaiah 1:19, Deuteronomy 28:1, Philippians 2:5–10). This obedience extends beyond convenience, demonstrating a commitment to follow God’s will even unto death (Luke 22:42).
5. Love
- The love of God, as revealed in Christ, should be manifested in your life. This divine love should flow freely from you to others, reflecting the nature of God.
May this message inspire you to pursue a deeper spiritual walk, characterized by surrender, obedience, and love.