Live A Spirit Filled Life
There Are Three Types Of People – Which one are YOU?
Did you know that there are three types of people? There’s the Natural, Carnal, and Spirit Filled person. As you read through the descriptions of each type, honestly assess which one you identify with the most. What do these descriptions reveal about areas of your life that you’ve been struggling with?
The Natural Person
You lead a self-directed life. You’re in charge of your own decisions and actions, making plans and doing what it takes to be successful. You know what you want out of life and you’ve set out on a path to fulfill your dreams and make yourself happy. You’re often feeling frustrated, even after you check off the boxes on your list of things that are supposed to make you feel fulfilled. You might have accepted religion or new age practices into your life, but you haven’t accepted Christ. You are going in the direction you think is right for you and hoping that, in the end, the good you’ve done outweighs the bad.
The natural person does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Let’s Discuss: Folly!
Folly means being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable! The Natural Person thinks the things of God are ridiculous because he is not able to understand them! The spiritual things of God must be spiritually discerned. Therefore, without the Spirit it is impossible to understand the things of God. This person will rationalize and twist spiritual wisdom and experiences to fit his own understanding and worldly point of view.
The Carnal Person
You have received Christ, but live in defeat because you’re trying to live the Christian life in your own strength. Jesus is in your life but Self is still on the throne, directing your decisions and actions. You often feel frustration and you have strong opinions on who or what needs to change in order for you to be joyful. You can quote more worship songs than scripture. You like to go to church for the community and the way it makes you feel, but you don’t understand that the church is not a community, it’s a covenant. Christian culture is encouraging but the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit is transformative.
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Let’s Discuss: Meat and Milk!
Milk/Meat isn’t referring to how deep the preacher is preaching, it’s how Spirit led you’re living! As a Carnal Christian, you’re not able to receive deeper teaching because you are self-led and not spirit-led. You rely on your own thoughts and emotions to guide you. You might even be helping others constantly but still not be obedient to the Spirit of God.
The Spirit Filled Person
A Spirit Filled Person is one who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in your life and on the throne. Self is yielding to Jesus. You see Jesus’ influence and direction in your life because he is at the center of it. You realize you can do nothing on your own. A Spirit Filled person is transformed and vulnerable, able to assess situations from a Godly perspective. You have peace and joy through identity as a son or daughter of God, receiving the love of the Father and accepting His wisdom and guidance. This person is submitted and humble.
But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17
If, while reading this blog you found yourself identifying with the Natural or Carnal Person, you can repent today and change your course to live a Spirit-led life. If you want to reach your full potential in Christ, pursue living a spirit-led life. The Bible says that God will help you do it!
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
