John writes to believers concerning the unction or anointing of the indwelling “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” that is inherently possessed by all believers. That is from the moment of their rebirth by His Spirit entering their human spirit. All Old Testament anointing with olive oil represents impartation of “the Holy Spirit.”

“But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One (Christ), and Ye Know All Things.” (1 John 2:20)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him (Christ) Abideth In You, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27 (KJV)

Some Christians have grown in their knowledge and faith such that they’ve then come to experientially know the indwelling “Spirit of Christ” as their all sufficiency. He teaches, guides, restrains, and prompts them from within. They’ve learned to walk in union and accord with His “Spirit of life” within them. They’ve come to know and fellowship with the indwelling “Christ,” partnering with Him who leads them and who has freed them from Sin’s dominion. In all this they’ve gained a spiritual discernment as the live, face and encounter this life, such is not otherwise possible. The Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, calls this “the fellowship (Gk koinonia, partnership) of the mystery” (Eph. 3:9), “the mystery” of “Christ In You the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

Paul here writes of such a person as being “spiritual.”

“He that is spiritual judgeth [discerneth] all things, yet he himself is judged [discerned] of no man” (I Cor. 2:15).

The truly spiritual man is so far above the wisest of this world, yes, and so far above the mass of nominal or token Christians with whom he comes into contact, that he can understand them, but they can never quite understand him. In fact, the things that a spiritual man may share seems to them like “foolishness.”

“But the natural man (soulish man) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

We as believers should long to be truly spiritual, but what is true spirituality?

In the Paul’s Epistles Christians are divided by the Spirit into four classes: the babe in Christ, the carnal Christian, the natural man, and the spiritual Christian. All four of these kinds of Christians are referred to in this one passage of Scripture (read I Cor. 2:14–3:4). Note that they are classified according to their ability to appreciate and assimilate “the things of God” as revealed in His Word and by His indwelling “Spirit.”

The “babe in Christ” is just that, he is unstable and needs to be fed, overseen, and cared for – he is yet a babe even though he may have become a Christian long ago but is stunted in his growth.

The “carnal Christian” is yet “fleshly” in his manner of living and outlook; he yields to the impulses and promptings of the “Sin (nature located) in the flesh” (Rom 8:3b). The flesh and spirit are at odds. (cf. Gal 5:17)

The “natural man” (1 Cor 2:14) is not an unsaved one as so many suppose. The “natural man” is the man of the soul. Here the Greek word “psuchikos” is translated “natural man.” ‘Psuchikos’ is derived from the Greek ‘psuche’ or “soul.” The soul consists of three faculties; mind, emotion and will. The natural man is a Christians but one who lives by his soul’s independent mindset, and/or his emotion of his self-will. He does not heed the indwelling “Spirit of Christ” within him, therefore he is not spiritual. Thus the “natural man” may be intellectual and know his Bible… but not really know “Christ” intimately, so he perceives and judges everything by his independent mind and intellect, apart from the discernment of “the spirit” within him. The natural or soulish Christian may judge things by his soul’s emotion and still be far from the discernment of the spirit. He may be one who lives by his bull-headed will, being far from “the spirit.”

Through diligent, prayerful study of the Word, and with a sincere desire to walk union with the Lord, the spiritual man has come to know the Lord Jesus Christ within him more and more intimately. Babes in Christ, carnal believers and soulish believers cannot “discern” Him, simply because they have not come to know and trust “the Spirit of Christ” who lives within them to guide them and live through them. He who has grown to spiritual maturity understands that Christ is at work within him. He is among those of whom it is written:

“But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age (mature), even those who by reason of use (experience) have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).