TO THE BIBLE - 1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV
“…But 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.”

LET’S TALK
Our opening scripture talks about the natural man. But who exactly is that? The natural man is someone who hasn’t been born again. They may have grown up in a good home, followed the rules, and even lived what many would call a “good life.” But spiritually, they’re still disconnected from God. They haven’t come into the life that Jesus came to give us.

Ephesians 4:18 NIV explains it this way: “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”

This means the natural man hasn’t yet recognized God’s love or accepted Jesus as Lord. They live by what they can see and understand with their minds alone, not by the Spirit. There’s a real story that helps us understand this better. Years ago, a former Vice Chancellor suddenly collapsed at an airport. Archbishop Benson Idahosa happened to be nearby. As he saw what happened, he responded by praying in tongues and laying hands on the man. The next day, newspapers reported that “audible sounds” from the Archbishop revived the man. The reporters didn’t understand what had happened, so they described it
in the only way they could. What they heard as “audible sounds” was actually the language of the Spirit something the natural mind cannot understand.

This is what the Bible means when it says the things of the Spirit are spiritually understood. The natural man simply can’t grasp them. That’s why we continue to share the Gospel—so that people can be awakened to the truth and receive the new life that comes from God.

It doesn’t matter how educated or “successful” someone is. Without being born again, they’re still living the natural life—separated from God. The Lord Jesus said in John 3:3 KJV: “ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

GO DEEPER
John 3:3-8; Ephesians 2:12-13

PRAY
Dear Father, I thank you for the blessing of the New Birth that makes me a spiritual man. I walk in the light of your Word and live by the discernment of the Spirit. My heart receives and understands the deep things of God, and my life is a demonstration of your wisdom and glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING
ONE YEAR
Hebrews 8, Jeremiah 13-14

TWO YEAR
2 Peter 1:1-12, Ezekiel 40

ACT
Think of one friend, classmate, or online connection who may not know Jesus personally. Pray for them today, and as the Lord leads you, share the Gospel with them.