Perquisite to Understand Scripture 1B

Interpreting Spiritual Things to Spiritual Men

The journey of understanding spiritual truths is not as simple as merely possessing a regenerated spirit. Many wonder, "I have a regenerated spirit, but why does the Bible still seem like a closed book to me?" The answer to this can be found in the words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2, where he draws a clear line between human wisdom and spiritual revelation.

“Spiritual insight does not stem from human intellect or persuasive words but from the Spirit’s revelation.”

“The foundation of understanding the mysteries of God lies in the power of the Spirit, not in the wisdom of men.”

Paul writes that his preaching was not rooted in persuasive words or human wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit's power. This sets the tone for understanding why spiritual truths cannot be fully comprehended through mere intellect or reasoning. He explains that human wisdom, the kind that relies on what we see, hear, or imagine, is insufficient for grasping the mysteries of God. Only the Holy Spirit, who searches the deep things of God, can reveal these truths to us. Paul emphasizes that spiritual things can only be communicated to spiritual men—those who walk in the Spirit, not those who remain bound to their natural or "soulish" state.

“Divine wisdom, hidden from the natural senses, is accessible only through the Spirit, who reveals the deep things of God to those attuned to Him.”

This distinction between the soulish man, the fleshy man, and the spiritual man is critical. The soulish man, described as the natural, unregenerated person, cannot receive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. To such a person, spiritual truths seem like foolishness because they are outside his realm of understanding. He is akin to a blind man in a garden, who, despite hearing about the beauty of the trees and fruits, cannot truly comprehend what they look like. In the same way, spiritual truths are incomprehensible to the soulish man because he lacks the faculty—the Spirit—to perceive them.

“Spiritual truths can only be communicated and understood by spiritual men, empowered by the Spirit of God.” 

“Spiritual insight is akin to physical sight—only by exercising our spiritual faculties can we perceive the truths of God.”

Yet, there are many believers who, although regenerated, remain fleshy. These are individuals who have the life of God within them, yet they do not walk according to the Spirit. Paul describes them as infants in Christ, able to digest only the most basic spiritual revelations—milk rather than solid food. They have the potential for deeper understanding but are stunted by their reliance on the flesh, which limits their capacity to receive the fullness of God’s revelations. They can only grasp indirect revelations, passed down from more mature believers, but they cannot yet receive direct insight from God Himself.

“Spiritual maturity allows one to transition from receiving indirect revelations (milk) to directly receiving deeper truths from God (solid food).”

“Spiritual discernment requires a regenerated spirit; natural intellect alone cannot penetrate the depths of God’s wisdom.”

In contrast, the spiritual man is one who not only has the Spirit of God but also walks in accordance with it. He is fully attuned to the Spirit’s guidance and operates under its power. This man is capable of receiving unlimited revelation from God, for spiritual things are discerned only by spiritual men. His understanding of the Bible goes beyond intellectual knowledge—he perceives it through the lens of the Spirit.

“To be truly spiritual, one must not only possess the Spirit but also walk in alignment with its guidance, allowing it to govern one’s life.”

The challenge, then, is not simply to possess the Spirit, but to live in the Spirit, to walk in a manner that aligns with God’s will. Just as a man with eyes must open them to see, so too must we exercise our spirit to perceive spiritual realities. Knowledge, wisdom, and even religious effort are not enough. Only by being spiritual can we truly understand God’s Word and receive the depth of revelation He has prepared for those who love Him.

In essence, Paul’s message reminds us that the study of the Bible is not a purely academic pursuit, nor is it something that can be grasped by intellect alone. It requires a transformation of life—a walking according to the Spirit.

“To fully understand and study the Bible, we must not only have the Spirit but also live in harmony with it, maturing into spiritual men who can receive the depths of God’s wisdom.”

#Discp. Samuel ✍