𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛

WHY THE NATURAL MAN CANNOT UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL TRUTH

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.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION (WHY THIS MATTERS)

One of the greatest mistakes believers make is expecting lost people to think spiritually.
The Bible teaches that spiritual blindness is not a moral problem first—it is a spiritual condition.
In this Dispensation of Grace, truth is revealed through Pauline revelation, discerned only by those indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Confusion about this leads to anger, pride, and misjudgment of unbelievers.

Today we will examine 9 TRUTHS explaining why the natural man cannot understand spiritual things—and why only Christ can heal this handicap.

DEFINITION OF THE NATURAL MAN
1 Corinthians 2:14; Jude 1:19

A. Fleshly Identity – Born of Adam, not of the Spirit
B. Fallen Intellect – Governed by human reasoning alone
C. Finite Understanding – Limited to earthly wisdom
Dispensational Insight:
The “natural man” is not Israel under Law nor the Church in Christ—he is any unsaved person in any age, especially evident in this age of grace.

DISABILITY OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
Romans 8:7; Ephesians 4:18

A. Carnal Mindset – Hostile toward God
B. Darkened Understanding – Alienated from truth
C. Dead Perception – Unable to process spiritual realities
Spiritual blindness is not stubbornness alone—it is inability.

DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 2:10–12; John 16:13

A. Spirit Reveals Truth – Not human wisdom
B. Spirit Regenerates Mind – New capacity to understand
C. Spirit Relates Doctrine – Compares spiritual with spiritual
No Spirit = No Understanding.

DISMISSAL OF DIVINE TRUTH
1 Corinthians 1:18; John 3:19

A. Foolishness Perceived – Cross rejected
B. Flesh Preferred – Darkness loved
C. Faith Refused – Grace resisted
The gospel is offensive to pride, but powerful to believers.

DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT
Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23

A. Soul Reasons – Emotions and intellect
B. Spirit Discerns – God-given perception
C. Separation Required – Word divides soul and spirit
Religion appeals to the soul; truth is discerned in the spirit.

DISPENSATIONAL REVELATION THROUGH PAUL
Ephesians 3:2–5; Colossians 1:25–27

A. Mystery Revealed – Hidden before Paul
B. Message of Grace – Not Law, not Kingdom
C. Ministry to Gentiles – Body of Christ truth
Without rightly dividing Paul’s epistles, confusion is guaranteed.

DECEPTION BY SATANIC BLINDNESS
2 Corinthians 4:3–4; 1 Timothy 4:1

A. Blinding of Minds – Gospel veiled
B. Belief in Lies – False doctrine embraced
C. Bondage to Error – Truth resisted
Satan doesn’t need atheism—religion works better.

DELIVERANCE ONLY THROUGH CHRIST
John 14:6; Colossians 1:13

A. Christ Enlightens – Light of the world
B. Christ Liberates – From darkness to light
C. Christ Indwells – Spirit gives understanding
Education can inform—but only Christ can transform.

DUTY OF BELIEVERS TOWARD THE BLIND
2 Timothy 2:24–26; Ephesians 6:19

A. Compassion Required – Not condemnation
B. Clarity Needed – Speak truth plainly
C. Consistency Essential – Live what we preach
We are ambassadors, not judges.

CONCLUSION (THE GREAT TRUTH)

Spiritual blindness is not a personal insult—it is a fallen condition.
The natural man cannot understand spiritual truth until Christ gives sight.
This is why argument fails, but the gospel saves.

CALL TO ACTION (WHAT MUST WE DO?)

Believers: Stop expecting lost people to think spiritually—preach Christ
Teachers: Rightly divide the Word—teach Paul’s gospel clearly

Unbelievers: Trust Christ alone—receive spiritual life today
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts…” — 2 Corinthians 4:6

FINAL THOUGHTS

Blindness is spiritual, not intellectual
Understanding requires the Spirit
Truth must be rightly divided
Christ alone gives sight
Compassion beats condemnation
Grace is the message for today
The Spirit teaches believers
The gospel opens blind eyes
Today is the day of salvation