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).

“Which one are you?” Growth in the Christian life is not automatic — it is the result of believing God’s Word, yielding to the Spirit, and walking in truth. The Bible clearly identifies four spiritual conditions found among mankind and believers today:

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.

“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God…”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

This person is unsaved, spiritually blind, and unable to discern truth.
They may be religious, moral, or sincere — but without Christ, they remain lost.

If you have never trusted the Gospel, you are still in this stage.

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.

“I have fed you with milk… for hitherto ye were not able to bear it.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:1 (KJV)

A new believer — saved, forgiven, sealed — but needing foundation, doctrine, and discipleship.
This stage is normal, but not meant to be permanent. Growth must follow.

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.

“Ye are yet carnal… are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

A believer who lives like the world.
Saved — but not walking in the Spirit.
Easily influenced, easily discouraged, easily deceived.

This stage is dangerous, because carnality brings confusion, instability, and compromise.

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.

“He that is spiritual judgeth all things…”
— 1 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV)

This believer walks in truth, discerns deception, loves Scripture, and yields to the Holy Spirit.
They are grounded, fruitful, and stable — not perfect, but growing.

This is God’s desire for every saved person.

THE REAL QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Every person reading this is somewhere in these four stages.
The most important issue is this:

Have you truly believed the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
or
Are you still the natural man — spiritually dead and without hope?

THE GOSPEL FOR THE LOST (KJV)

Eternal life comes only by believing the finished work of Christ:

“How Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again the third day.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV)

By believing this Gospel — not works, not religion, not performance — you are saved, sealed, forgiven, and made a new creature in Christ.

Salvation is instant.
Spiritual growth is daily.
But both begin with faith in the blood of Christ alone.

If You Are Saved — Grow. If You Are Not — Believe Today.

God desires you to move from darkness to light, from infancy to strength, from carnality to maturity.

🔚 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)