We are going to look at 3 types of man.
1. Natural Man – The Natural Man is not a Christian, and does not have Jesus in his life.
2. Carnal Man – The Carnal Man is a Christian, and has accepted Jesus into his heart, and his life. However, the
Carnal Man is trying to run his own life, and has not allowed Jesus to sit upon the throne of his life, and does not allow
Jesus to guide and direct his life.
3. Spiritual Man – The Spiritual Man is a Christian, and has allowed Jesus to sit upon the throne of his life. He allows
Jesus to guide and direct his life.
We will learn about and discuss each of these types of “Man”.
For this lesson, we are going to use a simple circle, with a throne in the middle of it to represent our life. We will look at
how each type of man lets Jesus guide him and direct him.
1. NATURAL MAN
Natural Man is one who has not received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He cannot understand the things of the
Spirit of God, and thinks they are stupid, or foolish. He cannot understand because the power of Jesus Christ and the
power of the Holy Spirit are not guiding him, directing him, and showing him the glory of living with Jesus on the throne
of his life. Scriptures are meaningless and vague to him, and his comprehension of the things of God are kind of like a
first grader trying to figure out college level biology information.
1 Corinthians 2:13 - 14
13These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For a Natural Man to become able to listen and actually hear the word of God concerning Christ Jesus, and His
wonderful gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit will open his ears, his eyes, and his heart. We call this “conviction”. The Holy
Spirit will start convicting their heart. Once this starts happening, they are able to start discerning the Word. They are
hearing with their hearts because the Holy Spirit has convicted them, and made them open up their hearts and ears to
listen, and hear. It is entirely up to this person whether or not they want to accept that Jesus Christ is the true Son of
God, and that He came to earth to die for their sins, and to wash their sins away with His blood.
2. CARNAL MAN
Carnal Man is one who has accepted Jesus as his personal Savior, but is not sincerely willing to let go of the control of
the throne of his life. He has allowed Jesus into his heart, but is not willing to sincerely, and completely let go of control
of his life. In many cases, this man honestly thinks that he has let go, and has given complete control of the throne of
his life over to Jesus. The Carnal Man’s life is usually one of discord and frustration. He does not feel that great
closeness to Jesus that he yearns to feel, and that so many other Christians feel - and he cannot understand why. He is
“in-and-out” of a true relationship with Jesus Christ. He is trying desperately to live a Christian life, relying solely on his
own strength and will. He is doomed to failure, and his life will be confused and frustrating. He will never be able to reach
that ultimate plateau that he is striving for. He knows that there is so much more that Jesus has to offer (power of the
Holy Spirit is one thing), but he will never be able to obtain the gifts, and that extra power in his life. Because he has not
completely let go of his life, and has not let Jesus take complete control, he has created barriers in his life that will keep
the Holy Spirit, and the power of Jesus from flowing freely and smoothly through his life. Jesus is still in his life, but is not
in control.
1 Corinthians 3:1 – 3
1And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2I fed you with
milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3for you
are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere
men?
Romans 8:6 – 8
6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity
against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot
please God.
As long as the Carnal Man continues to live without Jesus being in absolute control of his life (Jesus sitting on the
throne of his life), he will never be able to eat solid food (that is to gain greater knowledge and power). He will spend his
entire life existing on milk, or soft food and never experience the greater levels of knowledge and power that Jesus has
to offer us.
Too many Christians are living this type of life, and are not experiencing the great knowledge and power that Jesus is so
willing to give us.
3. SPIRITUAL MAN
A Spiritual Man is one who has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and has made Jesus the Lord and Ruler
of his life. He has allowed Jesus to sit on the throne of his life, and Jesus directs his life wholly, and fully. He has willingly,
and sincerely given everything over to Jesus. Everything he is, and everything he ever hopes to be is given over to
Jesus. Not one thing in his life carries worth (as compared to Jesus), and he is willing to let the will of Jesus control his
life. Wherever Jesus leads, the Spiritual Man will willingly, and gladly go. His life is one of harmony and peace.
John 16:33
33These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of
good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 14:27
27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
This is a very serious commitment that the Spiritual Man is undertaking. The payoff for such a commitment is
immeasurable. At this point in your life and your commitment, Jesus is in control. Once Jesus is in absolute control, you
are ready to start learning what His word has to say about how to live your life as a Christian, and learn about the
wonderful gifts and Power (Holy Spirit) that He is willing to give you.
I. Carnal Christians Cannot Experience The Abundant, Fruitful, And Holy Spirit
Powered Christian Life
The Carnal Man must trust, and live with his own efforts to live a Christian life.
1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten God’s love, forgiveness, and Power.
2. He has an up-and-down Spiritual experience.
3. He cannot understand himself – he wants to do what is right, but cannot.
4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life
Romans 1:18 – 20
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the
truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Hebrews 4:12 – 13
12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13And there is no
creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Phil 2:13
13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Hebrews 13:20 – 21
20Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you
what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Carnal Man will have a life that is in discord. He will be confused, unhappy, and frustrated that his efforts are not
producing the kind of Christian life that he expects, or wants to live. His life can be characterized by:
A. Ignorance of the Spiritual powers that are available to him
B. Unbelief
C. Disobedience to God’s will (it goes against what he wants to do)
D. Loss of love for God, and others (nothing happening in his life)
E. Poor prayer life (loses interest and faith with God)
F. No desire to study God’s word (Bible study)
Because he does not let Jesus have absolute control over the throne of his life, he will not have a very pleasant
experience as a Christian. Some of the things that will cause his life to be miserable, frustrating, and confusing include:
1. Legalistic Attitude (Everything must be proven)
2. Impure Thoughts
3. Jealousy (especially of other Christians who are living a wonderful Christian life)
4. Guilt
5. Worry
6. Discouragement
7. Critical Spirit
8. Frustration
9. Aimlessness in Life (can’t find a purpose)
The person that professes to be a Christian, but who continues to practice sin should realize that they may not be a
Christian at all.
1 John 2:3 - 4
3Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, “I know Him,” and does not
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 3:6 - 10
6Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7Little children, let no one
deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8He who sins is of the devil, for the
devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works
of the devil. 9Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he
has been born of God.
10In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not
of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Ephesians 5:3 - 5
3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you
know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and God.
II. Why The Spiritual Man Has A Life Of Peace And Harmony
The Spiritual Man has traits that are very evident. By trusting in God, and letting Jesus have absolute control over the
throne of his life, he is:
A. Christ Centered – everything he is, and everything he does is centered around Jesus Christ
B. Empowered By The Holy Spirit
C. Introducing Others To Jesus Christ
D. Effective In His Prayer Life
E. Understanding Of God’s Word
F. Trusting Of God For All Things In His Life
G. Obedient To God
The Spiritual Man will also have a life that is in harmony. Benefits from this type of life are:
1. Loving Heart
2. Constant and Overwhelming Joy
3. Peace (A Peace that passeth all understanding)
4. Patience
5. Abundance of Kindness
6. Faithfulness
7. Overall Goodness
Galatians 5:22 – 23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-
control. Against such there is no law.
Romans 8:6
6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:12 – 16
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the
flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received
the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God,