~~ The Word is Spiritual ~~ By: Jo Smith - 10/29,06

Many people claim that the Word of God is natural and must be literally interpreted. Is this true? Or is it the carnal thoughts of carnal man? I will prove that it is the carnal thoughts of man, attempting to bring the Word of God, or God, down to the level of carnal man. It is the sin of Adam. Let the Word of God teach us which His Word is; carnal, natural, or spiritual. Here is what God said about this:

1Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1co 2:14 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. 1co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Now the great Apostle Paul tells us here that he did not preach with enticing words of man’s wisdom. He taught in the power of the Spirit. If a man teaches in the wisdom of man, then it sets your faith in man. But Paul said our faith will be in God, if we preach in the Spirit and power of God.

He shows in verse 7, that the wisdom of God was spoken in a mystery. He said it was hidden wisdom. Now do you consider the hidden wisdom of God to be natural and carnal, which is literal? If so, where do you get that? Show me the Scripture saying the Word of God is natural, and must be literally discerned. I want to read that. To be spiritual, you must see that all the Word is about Jesus Christ. It is not about natural Jews. All of the Word is for us today. All of the Word is for all people at all times. It is eternal.

Verse 8 said that none of the princes of this world knew this hidden wisdom of God. So if none of the princes of this world knew this matter, how then can people claim it is natural, carnal, literal? Surely the princes of this world know all of that? Anyone can discern literal stuff. But only a spiritual person, led by the Spirit of God, can discern the truth of God’s Holy word. This chapter proves this. Read on.

Paul said that if the princes of this word knew the truth of God, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Verse 10 shows that God has revealed the things of God to us by his Spirit. It is the Spirit which searcheth the deep things of God. It is not the natural, carnal mind of man. It is not literal. If so, then they all know it.

Then he said no man knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. So if only the Spirit of God knows these things of God, then it is totally spiritual. God is a Spirit. God is not natural, carnal, as man. His word is spiritual, for he is Spirit. Also this proves that it takes the Spirit of God to teach us His Word. Now notice particularly verse 13. It says we must compare spiritual things with spiritual.

It says not in words which man’s wisdom teaches. But where do most people get their ‘understanding�? From some man’s words or his natural mind. If he says God’s word is not spiritual, but literal, then it proves this man does not have the Spirit of God revealing the Word of God to him. God himself told us we must compare spiritual things with spiritual things in order to understand the deep, hidden mysteries of God. So how can it be interpreted literally? It must be interpreted Spiritually, for it is Spiritual.

Now for the solid proof: verse 14-- The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. So when you hear men mocking the spiritual things of God and the spiritual interpretation of Scripture, it proves that this man is a natural men, with no spiritual understanding. The truth is foolishness to him.

When they tell you that the truth is foolishness, it proves he is carnal. When they say that to interpret the Word as spiritual is foolishness, it proves he is carnal and knows not God.

It said this man cannot know the things of God, because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.

Now there is your solid proof: the things of God must be SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED, or spiritually interpreted. So you must make up your mind, is it spiritual or literal? If you say literal, you are a carnal, natural person, who cannot understand the things of God.

Now for more proof that the Word is Spiritual and not natural, or carnal and literal. These all mean the same thing. -- Ro 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Now see this proves that the carnal mind is actually the enemy of God. It is enmity against God. So if you interpret the Word of God as literal, or natural, then you will be carnal minded, for this is carnal. It will feed your mind carnality, so you are carnal minded.

Was Paul preaching carnal, or literal things? Let him tell us:

1Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

So we see that the things Paul sowed, or preached to them, was spiritual. He was not preaching carnal things. He did not interpret the Word of God literally. If so then the above verses here would be talking about a natural cow eating as she plows a natural field. Is that what is meant? Of course not.

1Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

See here that Paul told the Corinthians that they were carnal and not spiritual. This is why they felt women could not teach and others things they had wrong. He could not give these people the meat of the word, for they were carnal. So when people take the word of God as literal, or natural, they are carnal and cannot understand the deep things of God. They see these deep mysteries as foolishness.

1Cor 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1co 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1co 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

So that tells us that the ones God was pleased with were eating and drinking of SPIRITUAL food, which was Christ. So if you say the Word is natural and carnal, or literal, (same thing), then you are accusing Jesus, the Rock, of being natural instead of Spiritual.

The ones there with whom God was not pleased and overthrew, were those who did not eat and drink of Spiritual Food. They were carnal and idolaters. Then if you interpret the word as natural and carnal, or literal, you are eating carnal food, which shows you have a carnal mind and you will be overthrown as an idolater.

1Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

Your first man, or your carnal self, is the natural man. He thinks natural and is therefore carnal. Jesus said as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. So if you think natural or carnal, or literal, you will be carnal minded. This causes you to think the things of God are foolishness. You take it natural. Your first man is of the earth, earthly. So you interpret things from an earthly standpoint.

You must receive the new man inside yourself. This comes from the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Christ places the spiritual seed inside you. This then gives you the second man, which is heavenly. So then you become heavenly, or spiritual minded. Then you feed off the spiritual Rock, Christ.

You then interpret the word as Spiritual. Else you are still carnal minded. You must be spiritual minded to receive the Word as Spiritual. Else is will be death to you. Those who were carnal in the wilderness, were destroyed.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

See you must be spiritual in order to help others who fall. If you cannot understand things Spiritually, then you cannot be a spiritual person. If your mind is carnal, then you are a carnal minded person, and unable to help others.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

See this proves that we receive Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. If you be in Christ, then you are in these heavenly places, where you receive the Word as Spiritual You eat spiritual food. It is not literal or carnal. It is Spiritual.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

You cannot have spiritual understanding if you interpret the Word as literal, or natural. It will give you a carnal mind. As you think in your heart, so are you. If you interpret it as natural or carnal, you are thinking carnal. You are then carnal minded and dead.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

If we are to be a spiritual house, offering up spiritual sacrifices, then we must be spiritual minded, which is to interpret, or eat, the Word of God as SPIRITUAL. So to be carnal minded is to be a carnal house.