Spiritual People vs. Natural People
June 28
Paul continues his line of thought concerning the insignificance of earthly wisdom and even his own desires in light of the things of God. He says that the Holy Spirit knows things about God that no one else does, or can.
He goes on to say that only believers can understand the things of God. He refers to believers as “spiritual people”. These are not special people, that is, believers who have had some experience that other believers have not experienced. These people are simply believers, (1 Corinthians 2:14–15) people who have experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This goes back to what we read a few days ago about Apollos and the other twelve disciples of John the Baptizer. (Acts 18–19) They thought they were saved, but they weren’t. Paul says very clearly that if the Holy Spirit doesn’t abide in someone, they aren’t saved.
In other words, there are two types of people: spiritual people (i.e., believers) and natural people (i.e., those who do not have the Spirit). Either you have the Spirit, or you don’t. Either you have been saved, or you haven’t. Either you have a relationship with God, or you don’t. As we move into tomorrow’s devotional, we’ll see what some incorrectly call a third type of person.
We, believers/spiritual people, have been given the Spirit so that we can understand the things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12) However, Paul says that the natural person cannot understand the things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:14) This is precisely why you can give the best arguments for the existence of God and the reality of the resurrection of Jesus, and you can explain the Gospel to some people, and they will look at you as if you dropped in from outer space. They just can’t make the connection because the Holy Spirit has not yet done a work of illuminating their hearts so that they can believe. (John 6:63; 65)
Application
Does the Holy Spirit abide in you? If you are a believer, then He does! But just having the Spirit to move into your life isn’t all there is in the Christian life. After all, the Holy Spirit is called the Holy Spirit for a reason: to make us holy. Over the course of time, those who are Spiritual will be transformed into ever-increasing holiness. As you submit to His activity in your life, the Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out. Your beliefs will change. Your attitudes will change. And your behavior will change.