Paul explains that there are three kinds of people:

1. The Natural Man: These individuals lack the Holy Spirit and navigate life solely based on circumstances. They are spiritually blind and dead, lacking God's spirit within them. It's crucial that we pray for them, asking God to open their eyes, grant them forgiveness of sins, and be sanctified through faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 26:18).

2. The Spirit-Filled Christian: This person allows the Holy Spirit to take control of their life, empowering them with spiritual understanding. They possess the ability to appraise and discern spiritual matters, making decisions that align with God's desires. Paul emphasized that the tremendous benefit of being Spirit-filled is having "the mind of Christ": the ability to view life from God's perspective and grasp divine truth. Romans 8:9 reminds us that genuine Christians must have the Spirit of God dwelling within. Therefore, it's essential to examine ourselves to determine whether we truly have the Spirit of Christ. Mere religious rituals won't suffice; instead, we must be filled with the Spirit, aligning our lives with God's Word, understanding His teachings, and faithfully obeying His commands.

3. The Carnal Christian: Paul raises the issue of "carnal Christians" in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. These individuals have accepted Christ into their lives, but they still struggle with their selfish desires, trying to be in control. Consequently, they lack spiritual power and joy, leading to a sense of inadequacy. Paul beautifully expresses this struggle in Romans 7:19,24 – highlighting the inner conflict and the feeling of being wretched. How can we allow the Holy Spirit to take control? We must surrender our minds and thoughts, as well as our emotions and actions (TEA Principle). It is crucial to guard our minds, ensuring our thoughts always align with biblical teachings.

INDWELT BY THE SPIRIT VS. FILLED BY THE SPIRIT

Being INDWELT by the Holy Spirit happens when someone becomes a Christian and puts their trust in Jesus for salvation. It means that the Spirit of God comes to live in them permanently, identifying them as belonging to Christ (Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:6). It's a gift from God, given through His grace and received by faith (Galatians 3:14; Acts 2:38). However, being indwelt by the Spirit doesn't automatically mean that Christ has full control over their life. On the other hand, being FILLED with the Spirit is an ongoing and moment-by-moment experience that happens when we willingly surrender to God's will (Ephesians 5:18). This continuous surrender allows the Holy Spirit to empower and transform our character (Galatians 5:16, 22; Acts 1:8). Paul urges us to walk by the Spirit, which involves trusting and obeying God's commands and experiencing the Spirit's guidance and empowerment in every aspect of our lives (Galatians 5:16-17).

Living a Spirit-filled life allows us to bear fruit and make a positive impact, shining God's love and truth to those around us. As Revelation 22:12-13 reminds us, Christ will return with His rewards. As we eagerly await His coming, let's ask ourselves: Which type of person are we? Let's strive to be Spirit-filled, staying empowered by the Holy Spirit, and wholeheartedly serving our Savior, Jesus Christ.