There are three types of people: natural, carnal and spiritual. While the natural man is not born again, the carnal man
is a Believer, but is still led by what he sees and feels. He is a baby
Christian who has not progressed beyond being born again into the
fullness of spiritual maturity. A carnal Christian must make a decision
to grow up, and he or she must be taught how to come out of sin and stay
out.

1. Many Christians should be spiritually mature, but they are still spiritual babies
   (Hebrews 5:12).
   1. The apostle Paul wasn't talking to baby Christians.
      1. He was speaking to Believers who should have been more spiritually mature.
   2. Paul also dealt with spiritually immature Christians at the Church of
      Corinth.
      1. He had spiritually fed these Christians with the milk of God's Word so they could grow, but they hadn't
         (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
      2. The evidence they were carnal was, there was envy, strife and division among them (v. 3).
   3. Even though the Corinthian church had manifestations of all the spiritual
      gifts (1 Corinthians 1:5-7), there was still overwhelming evidence that
      they were carnal, baby Christians.
      1. They were still in need of milk.
      2. Having spiritual gifts doesn't make you a mature Christian.
         
         
2. Your spiritual maturity is demonstrated by the decisions you make in life—whether you
   make decisions in line with the Word of God.
   1. When you refuse to get offended, you demonstrate that you are growing into spiritual maturity.
   2. When you are unable to execute the Word of God that you know, it is evidence of spiritual
      underdevelopment.
   3. The sin in your life you fail to deal with will be responsible for your downfall.
   4. Every test that you encounter is an opportunity for promotion, depending on whether you pass
      the test.
   5. God wants to bless you, but you must grow up spiritually in order to receive His best for your life.
   6. Don't allow your senses to cause you to sin. Be moved only by God's Word.
   7. Make a quality decision to turn away from sin.
      1. The goodness of the Lord will cause you to repent.
      2. To be "convicted" of sin is not to be condemned, but it is God's way of
         convincing you that you are going in the wrong direction.
   8. Give God a chance to do something extraordinary in your life.
      
      
3. When you see Christians in sin, don't beat them up, lift them up.
   1. People who are judgmental are often the very ones who are doing the same thing.
   2. Recognize that all sin is based in selfishness.
   3. People must be taught how to grow out of bad behavior.
   4. Peter says that you have to desire the sincere milk of the Word to grow up.
   5. All things are available to the born again Christian, but some refuse to grow up so
      they can lay hold of what is rightfully theirs (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).
   6. The carnal Christian must be practically taught how to get out of sin.
      1. You won't inspire a carnal Christian to change by continuously telling him or her how bad they are.
      2. Be more concerned with depositing the Word in them rather than ridiculing
         them.
      3. Build confidence in them.
      4. Be patient with them.
      5. It won't be long before they begin to grow up.

Scripture References:

• Hebrews 5:12
• 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 21-23
• 1 Corinthians 1:5-7