Part 3: Who is the Spiritual Man?

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

Ephesians 1:3

Part one defined spirituality and introduced four kinds of spirits; Part two looked at three phases a man must pass in becoming spiritual, and the problem of carnality. In this final installment of the spiritual man, we will look for some clues to deeper spiritual walk. Then, we will see the evidences of the work of the Spirit of God. With this intel, we will be better equipped to survive on the spiritual battlefield.

So Far…

As an introduction to our final study, let’s take the thoughts and meditations of Watchman Nee as he reviews his own study of the natures of man and the spirit world.

“A person whose spirit is regenerated and within whom the Holy Spirit abides can still be fleshly for his spirit may yet be under the oppression of his soul or body.”

“Let us not forget what we have learned heretofore. We should realize by now that what hinders one from being spiritual is the flesh. So if a person maintains a proper attitude towards it he shall encounter no difficulty in making progress.”

“The (Holy) Spirit alone can render believers spiritual. In the arrangement of God’s redemptive design the cross performs the negative work of destroying all which comes from Adam while the Holy Spirit executes the positive work of building all which comes from Christ.”¹

~Watchman Nee

Nee begins his exhaustive work with discerning the spiritual life only after he goes to great lengths to establish the differences between body, soul, and spirit. Then he confronts both confusion of the spiritual world and carnality as two main hinderances to walking in the spirit. We have also, yet briefly touched on these in order with the hope that you will keep reading your Bible and not depend on a blog for exhaustive study.

In his second volume (of three) in The Spiritual Man, Watchman Nee explains the need for continued walking in the Spirit, the experience of the Spirit’s leading, and the fruit of the Spirit’s work. (If you are committed to study these truths in depth, grab the 600-page book at a good bookstore. You’ll want to get familiar with your King James Bible first. Some truths he is unable to explain due to muddy translations used.)

Our Field Manual

There are four salient passages in the New Testament full of instruction for the saved who would be spiritual. These most important passages are:

• Romans 8,
• 1 Corinthians 2-3,
• 1 Corinthians 12-14, and
• Galatians 5-6.

These four are not alone in the New Testament for teaching what it means to be spiritual. These four, however, are the best if you are searching for your footing.

The Code Words

The things pertaining to the spiritual life of the New Testament saint are revealed only by comparing spiritual words– Scripture– with spiritual witness– the indwelling Holy Ghost. I suspect that the link to such hidden treasures are locked in a simple two-word phrase in the Bible. A phrase drawn from the last part of the divine name borne by the Son of God, the “Lord Jesus Christ.” He is “Lord” for the soul; invisible, immortal. He is “Jesus” for the body; touchable, subject to time. And He is “Christ” for the spirit; the eternal life given to every believer, the means of fellowship with God.

So when we look for clues to the spiritual man, look toward the ministry, attributes, gifts, and laws that are “of Christ.” They will point you directly into interactions with the Spirit of God. No matter what level of growth– as long as you are saved– you can understand spiritual truth, exercise spiritual walk, and see Godly spirituality in others.

The Long Work of Salvation- Romans 8

Viewing the grand scheme of salvation is what gives purpose to learning and living of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 sits on the shoulders of the Doctrine of the Gospel (Romans 1-10) and the Duties of the Christian (11-16). This chapter instructs better than any other on why God gave us the Holy Ghost, and why we should listen to Him. He sharply divides saved from lost. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9b)

Did you see that “of Christ” sitting right there? That’s the signal for the New Testament believer to sit up and pay attention. The Scriptures are about to reveal the spiritual realm, and you are allowed a front row seat.

The Spirit is shown in Romans 8 as the life of a believer. Salvation is so powerful it cannot be undone, yet it is so gentle that the changes that can be made can also be resisted. Salvation in a Christian is the envy of all creation, giving him hope for all time. Though Romans 8:28 is often plucked as the flower of the chapter, it is green fruit. A few verses later, the truth fully ripens. The chapter closes with the unchallenged question guaranteed by salvation: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ.” (Rom. 8:35a)

Salvation’s long work is the bold assurance of every believer. Given by the Spirit of Christ, Guaranteed by the love of Christ. No man can be spiritual who doubts his eternal security. So, one of the first spiritual experiences a man has after salvation is assurance. The Scripture settles this question, preparing us for our next step in the spiritual.

The Necessary Work of Judgment- 1 Corinthians 2-3

In addressing the carnality of Corinth, Paul goaded them to help them see their problem with a pointed accusation: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

They had the mind of Christ, but they were not using it. The Scriptures are sharp; they separate into divisions that help the student “rightly” divide the Word of truth. The Scriptures are so sharp that they require discernment– apply a verse out of context or contrary to sound doctrine, and you’ll get cut!

The Scriptures reveal the mind of Christ. You must read them. True spirituality starts with the mind of Christ; you must have it, and heed it. His Word in us produces His thoughts in us. We think as He thinks. Tradition does not think, it just makes you do what has always been done. Tradition, as in observance of ‘churchian‘ religion, becomes a life that is vain, ritualistic, or just for show. God is not interested in doing good things for the feel-good/do-good/philanthropic benefit. He has a much larger “why” ingrained into every “what.” “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor. 3:13) The reason for learning and living the Bible way is the Judgment Seat of Christ.

How extra-biblical subjects are dealt with today matters. The Lord is trying to move you in right ways with eternal benefits. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16) The mind of Christ is how God guides you and me spiritually. Even things that are not specifically named in Scripture can be dubbed right or wrong, good or evil, because of how God thinks about it. His Word traces His mind in us, and we can make a right judgment every time. It is how passion for the old paths is maintained; it is what God desires. What He desires, He equips us to discern.

Thinking His thoughts will urge us to speak what we know. Thinking His thoughts will persuade us to live as we ought. And it will give us the confidence and dogmatism to be sure of what we’ve seen and heard.

The Joint Work of Administration- 1 Corinthians 12-14

Another danger Paul uncovered that is incumbent to carnality is the inability to cooperate. Unity is sacrificed when self is exalted. The members at Corinth needed God’s Spirit for the right personal mindset so the Lord could work through them individually as extensions of Himself in the church. Obedience individually produces obedience corporately. This communion of believers is vital to the victory of the local (and universal) church.

These 3 chapters are rich with raw materials to build up the spiritual man. The Lord gives “gifts” to men to enable them to serve. This service, or ministry, is dependent upon the presence and control of the Lord at all times, so that we will acknowledge Him in His work. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

Among all these gifts, the most desirable is prophecy, the most excellent is charity, and the most lasting is unity. (Tongues are not necessary to the church, and it would be a waste of time to argue otherwise. They are the last on God’s list. [12:28, 29-31]) To combine these goals provided through the gifts, and to shew the undeniable spiritual connection, Paul states:

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

1 Corinthians 12:27

A strong hint that what happens in the visible church worship service– singing, taking up an offering, preaching, testifying, etc.– has a much deeper effect. Being part of the Body of Christ is no small responsibility! No wonder the apostle chastened the disorderly church. “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37) Tough talk. But it is an even tougher truth. A spiritual man will not be a problem to his pastor or his local church.

The internet is full of ‘spiritual’ thinkers. They know better than everyone, and they write and post like the world depends on them. But the affection of a truly spiritual man is his church, not his blog. What he knows is secondary to how he helps the congregation worship the Lord without distraction or hesitation. A spiritual man deftly operates in a physical world fully conscious of every spiritual effect his actions may have. He understands that he is part of something bigger than himself.

Of all those actions, the highest and most wanted skillset in churches today is one who takes on

The Heavy Work of Restoration- Galatians 5-6

In this prison epistle of Paul, the fruit of the Spirit is given as a contrast to the works of the flesh in the last part of chapter 5. The inward work of the Spirit was not meant to stay internal, or hidden. What begins in the heart by faith for salvation and informs the mind by learning for judgment will outflow by meekness for helping fellow-believers.

Note how the fruit is grouped:

• Love, joy, peace– these are inwardly felt. As we saw in Romans 8, “the love of Christ” gives assurance. The other two- joy and peace- are blessings of the kingdom of God.² (Not the physical “kingdom of heaven.” They are very different.)

• Longsuffering, gentleness, goodness– these are outwardly shown and sensed. They must be shown to others, and if they are not sensed by others, they aren’t really there.

• Faith, meekness, temperance– these are intended for God’s pleasure. Our attitude, submission, and allegiance to God is a savour to Him; often, to Him alone: we do not enjoy this fruit personally, nor is it always obvious to others.

These 9 fruit supersede the force of the law. The law was meant to suppress an evil nature. Once a man is saved, he has a new nature in the Holy Spirit indwelling him. God wants that new man to be expressed in every way. “Against such there is no law.”

Rules of Engagement

The first priority for the spiritual man is restoration. “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.” (Gal. 6:1)

This is so simple to read, yet it is so hard to live. This is such a salient passage because it is one where being spiritual affects every part of the person: body, soul, spirit. In this situation, being spiritual is manifestly evident to everyone, from God, to the brother helped, to your own self. You cannot just talk the talk, you must “walk” the walk, or everyone suffers the consequences of it.

The brother to be restored is trying; he has a “fault” not a hidden sin. The man who helps must be “spiritual” not carnal. The spiritual man’s attitude must be right toward God; the fruit of the Spirit, “meekness”, is present. The spiritual man’s attitude toward his own self is discerning; not falling in sympathy.

Just as sure as nature, mathematics, and civilizations have laws, there is a new law which governs spiritual matters. This law is the rules of engagement for any truly spiritual man.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:1

The clues have indicated the close proximity of the Spirit of God in these areas where Christ is named. But the closer we have come to Christ, the closer we have also gotten to another spiritual being. One with whom we are at war.

This Is Not A Drill

In Galatians 6, we are led, no, we are dropped right into the middle of the invisible crossfire. We are on a battlefield, surrounded by “spiritual wickedness in high places.“³ We are taking fire from every direction, and the pitch blackness blinds us to our foe. But we have a Light. The Word is a lamp unto my feet, it illumines the landscape and the figures surrounding us. We hear comrades falling into the earth, crumpling under every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset them. Their hearts are pierced with fiery darts of the Wicked.

But we have the Light. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God wards away the foe. We can see fallen soldiers here, there. We thought we were pretty spiritual, but in the face of reality, we are actually terrified. If these brothers have fallen, what chance do I have?

But we have the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. As it shined to us, the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shines unto them. This “law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”⁴ This law enlightens, lifts, saves, and will train others in the same. But that will come later. Now, we must survive in a world which we cannot see. Today, we must trust the Sword in our hand, and the Spirit inside of us. Until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in our hearts.

We can shake it off, blink away the grim reality. But it is there just the same, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not.

True Spirituality

For all the intel we’ve gathered on the spiritual side of life, walking and warring spiritually still goes against our nature. We want to see it to believe it. What we lack is the determination to focus on the evidence of things not seen. What God is seeking is one who seeks Him by faith in His Book. This is why I felt led to title this lengthy series with a question: who is the spiritual man? For as much as we’ve talked about him, we still haven’t found him.

Some who write about the Holy Ghost in the life of a believer use the word ‘experience’ as a crisis event in their life. A ‘spiritual experience’ is sometimes thought to be what flips the switch from natural and carnal to spiritual. But it has never been so. Spirituality is a journey.

"What is spirituality? It is a definite reliance upon the Spirit, which is a 'walk by means of the Spirit.' Such a reliance upon the Spirit is imperative because of the impossible heavenly calling, the opposing power of Satan, and the continued presence of the 'flesh' with its Adamic nature. We cannot meet tomorrow's issues today. The walk is step by step and this demands a constant appropriation of the power of God. The Christian life is never likened to a balloon ascension in which we might go up once for all and have no trouble or temptation again. It is a WALK, a RACE, a FIGHT. All this speaks of continuation. The fight of faith is that of continuing the attitude of reliance upon the Spirit. To those who thus walk with God, there open a door unto "fellowship with the Father and with his Son" and into a life of fruit-bearing and service with every spiritual manifestation to the glory of God.

What then, is true spirituality? It is the unhindered manifestations of the the indwelling Spirit. These blessed realities are all provided for in the presence and power of the Spirit and will be normally produced by the Spirit in the Christian who is not grieving the Spirit, but is yielded to God; who is walking in the Spirit by an attitude of dependence upon His power alone. Such an one is spiritual because he is Spirit-filled. The Spirit is free to fulfil in him all the purpose and desire of God for him. There is nothing in daily life and service to be desired beyond this."

Now, let’s take action to become that man!

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1. Nee, Watchman, The Spiritual Man, Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1977, Vol. II, pp. 18-19 ↩︎
2. Romans 14:17 ↩︎
3. Ephesians 6:12 ↩︎
4. Psalm 19:7 ↩︎
5. Chafer, Lewis Sperry, He That Is Spiritual, Zondervan, 1967 pp. 132-133 ↩︎