The Natural Man
When the Bible talks about the “natural man,” what does it mean?
The natural man cannot understand the things of God because the natural man does not have the Spirit of God indwelling in him. Our natural wisdom comes not from God, but in earthly, sensual, and devilish. Sin has twisted man’s understanding of truth so that we cannot recognize the truth about God.
This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 1: 25 says; “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
When Paul preached about the cross of Christ, it seemed foolish to the people. The Greek philosophers believed they could unravel divine mysteries because they were overconfident of their own mental capacities.
In spite of this available power, the Gospel about Christ who was crucified is still unimportant to millions. They reflect the failure Paul analyzed when he questioned them. 1 Corinthians 1: 20 & 21; “Where is the wise? Where is the scribes? Were is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Before teaching in the Bible can mean anything to us, the Spirit of God must open our minds. The Scriptures teach that a veil covers our minds as a result of our separation from God. To the “outsider” the cross must appear to be ridiculous. But to those who have experienced its transforming power, it has become the only remedy for the sins of each person – and the whole world.