And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul: and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)

In this passage, you have two categories of Christians; some are spiritual and some are carnal. Paul said it was of the utmost importance, when he taught people, to find out which of the two they were; for if he gave spiritual food to the carnal it would not do them any good. "I ... could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." You are real Christians; but unfortunately, you are feeble Christians, just like infants. "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat." Some truths are just like milk, suitable for carnal Christians; other truths of God's Word, deep spiritual truths, are for spiritual people. "For hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal."

Notice that the word carnal appears here again. Paul said plainly, "I want you to know that you are carnal - you are believers, but you are also carnal believers - and here is the proof: For whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" The word carnal comes from the Latin word meaning flesh. If you do the works of the flesh, this proves you are carnal, that you walk as men, not as children of God who lean a heavenly life. "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" For the fourth time you have the word carnal, and for the second time, the very pointed question for them to answer: "Tell me, are you not carnal?"

"You are not spiritual; you are carnal;" the apostle said. Ask yourself the question, "Am I still carnal, or am I spiritual by the grace of God?" You know a doctor cannot do you any good unless he first thoroughly diagnoses the case. He asks a number of questions, examines your lungs and heart, finds out what is wrong and prescribes the proper medication. Likewise, until you find out what is wrong in your spiritual life, all the preaching of the most heavenly truths will do you no good. You must be brought to realise your carnal state before the knowledge of the spiritual life can be of any real benefit.