12/05/11

Natural man and the Spiritual man

1 Corinthians 2: 14,15 - 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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.


In today's message the Lord is talking to us about the natural man and the spiritual man. Even though the scripture speak against the natural man he is in reality not foolish. He may be the most smartest man well educated, having a good career, good saving, good social network, not having too bad vices etc., but as far as his spiritual profile is concern he may be totally lacking. His relationship with God may be just traditional practise. His helping people would be to give some money once a week just to make oneself happy that I do something. In his neighbourhood there would be a person who is struggling for his daily meal, this man would surely give something to make sure he does not die hungry but more than that he would say 'is not my business'. If he sees a beggar he would put his hand in his pocket giving him some change but would not bother if he uses that money for drugs or any other evil. For this man the Fruits of the Holy Spirit are not necessary as far as you are a good being according to the world.

The other man who is called spiritual man has a different approach to things and to understand his approach we would need to get into the grammar of the Greek words. It is written 'he judges all things, yet he himself is not judged'. When we understand the TVM (Tone Voice and Mood) of the words 'judges' and 'judged' we would understand better.

Like I told you in my previous mails the TVM gives us instructions as what to do in Body (Natural), Mind and Spirit respectively.

Judges TVM: Present, Active, Indicative

What we learn here is although the other man is called spiritual man he actually does not use or do much in the spiritual aspect but does more in the mental aspect. He is a person who is spiritually alive and really uses his thinking to reason what is best. The TVM shows his mind as Active.

Understand to be a spiritual man one does not need to get nirvana or a lightening from Heaven or have deep understanding of the Kingdom of God but you should have your basics in place. All it take for a person to be spiritual man is to be spiritually alive and to give though to one's actions and priorities.

Such a man today's message says would not be judged by others, that does not mean people would not speak against him. The TVM gives better detail on it.

Judged TVM: Present, Passive, Indicative

We learn by the TVM that although people may speak against the actions of the person yet they will not speak against the intention of the action. People will know you are a good person but would not be able to jelly with you very much when they are people of this world for your actions would disturb their way of life and their priorities in life.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, as we live our life as Christians help us to be Spiritual Christians and not Natural Christians. Help us to actively give thought to our every action and intention. Help us realize if we are walking towards light or towards darkness. Help us work towards spiritual riches and not earthly riches. Let others know we are different from this world and let them see You in us...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripturesr ]
1 Corinthians 2:16
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Hebrew 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

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