THE FOUR STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Growth in the Christian life is not automatic — it is the result of believing God’s Word, yielding to the Spirit, and walking in truth.

The Bible clearly identifies four spiritual conditions found among mankind and believers today:

1. THE NATURAL MAN

“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God…”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

• This person is unsaved, spiritually blind, and unable to discern truth.
• They may be religious, moral, or sincere — but without Christ, they remain lost.
• If you have never trusted the Gospel, you are still in this stage.

2. THE BABE IN CHRIST

“I have fed you with milk… for hitherto ye were not able to bear it.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:1 (KJV)

• A new believer — saved, forgiven, sealed — but needing foundation, doctrine, and discipleship.
• This stage is normal, but not meant to be permanent. Growth must follow.

3. THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN

“Ye are yet carnal… are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

• A believer who lives like the world.
• Saved — but not walking in the Spirit.
• Easily influenced, easily discouraged, easily deceived.
• This stage is dangerous, because carnality brings confusion, instability, and compromise.

4. THE SPIRITUAL MAN

“He that is spiritual judgeth all things…”
— 1 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV)

• This believer walks in truth, discerns deception, loves Scripture, and yields to the Holy Spirit.
• They are grounded, fruitful, and stable — not perfect, but growing.
• This is God’s desire for every saved person.

THE REAL QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Every person reading this is somewhere in these four stages.

The most important issue is this:

⭐ Have you truly believed the Gospel that saves?

or

⚠️ Are you still the natural man — spiritually dead and without hope?

THE GOSPEL FOR THE LOST (KJV)

Eternal life comes only by believing the finished work of Christ:

“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again the third day.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV)

• By believing this Gospel — not works, not religion, not performance — you are saved, sealed, forgiven, and made a new creature in Christ.
• Salvation is instant.
• Spiritual growth is daily.
• But both begin with faith in the blood of Christ alone.

🙏 If You Are Saved — Grow. If You Are Not — Believe Today.

God desires you to move from darkness to light, from infancy to strength, from carnality to maturity.