THE FOUR STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

🌱 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛

(1 Corinthians 2:14–15; 1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:12–14)

✨ 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In this dispensation of grace, salvation is not by works but by faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet not all who are saved are spiritually mature. Paul divides mankind into categories: the natural man (unsaved), the babe in Christ (newly saved), the carnal Christian (saved but fleshly), and the spiritual man (saved and mature). Understanding these distinctions helps us evaluate ourselves and others properly “according to the truth of God’s Word rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15).

1️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻 🚷 (1 Cor. 2:14)

Definition: The unsaved man, without the Spirit of God.

Description: He cannot understand spiritual truths because they are spiritually discerned.

Dispensational View: In this age of grace, the natural man is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). His only hope is to trust in Christ’s finished work.

Principle: Until a person believes the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3–4), they remain natural, blind, and lost.

2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 👶 (1 Cor. 3:1)

Definition: The believer who is newly saved but spiritually immature.

Description: Desires “milk” (basic teaching) but not ready for “meat” (deeper doctrine).

Dispensational View: Every new member of the Body of Christ begins as a babe; spiritual growth is expected as they are taught rightly divided doctrine.

Principle: Babes need nurturing, feeding, and discipleship to grow into spiritual strength.

3️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 ⚖️ (Heb. 5:12–14)

Definition: A believer who is saved but lives like the world.

Description: Marked by strife, envy, divisions, and spiritual immaturity.

Dispensational View: Carnal Christians grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and risk loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:12–15), though they remain eternally secure.

Principle: Carnality hinders growth, dishonors Christ, and causes others to stumble.

4️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻 🌟 (1 Cor. 2:15)

Definition: A mature believer walking in step with the Spirit.

Description: Discerns all things, judges rightly, and reflects Christ’s character.

Dispensational View: The spiritual man understands Paul’s gospel, rightly divides the Word, and seeks to please Christ in this age of grace.

Principle: This is God’s goal for every believer — maturity, wisdom, and fruitful service.

🔚 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Everyone falls into one of these categories: the natural man, the babe in Christ, the carnal Christian, or the spiritual man. Only one of these brings glory to Christ. God’s desire is not merely salvation but spiritual growth unto maturity.

🔥𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

👉 If you are a natural man — trust Christ today ✝️
👉 If you are a babe — desire the milk of the Word and grow daily 📖
👉 If you are carnal — repent, yield to the Spirit, and stop walking in the flesh 🙏
👉 If you are spiritual — keep pressing toward maturity and discipling others 🌟

💡 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Don’t remain a babe or a carnal Christian. God’s will in this dispensation is that believers grow into spiritual maturity and live as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)