The Natural Man and the Word of God

1 Cor. 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.

The Word of God, our spiritual food to feed the spirit of man, is tasteless to the natural man, who simply feeds the desires of his flesh. When he picks up the Word of God, unless the Holy Spirit brings conviction and opens his spiritual blindness, he misses the things of God, and instead focuses on the superiority of his worldly wisdom.

• The natural man is incapable - "receiveth not"
• The natural man is insensitive - "foolishness"
• The natural man is ignorant - "neither can he know them"

To the things of the world, the natural man may be brilliant and super intelligent, but to God's Word, he is a stranger.

Deut. 32:28-29 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Ps 32:8-9 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Prov. 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

1 Cor. 1:19-21 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where 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.

Here is some instruction regarding how the natural man can receive some understanding:

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Prov. 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Prov. 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

1 Chron. 22:12-13 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,