“But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Our Link to Heaven
Before defining spiritual and carnal Christians, we need to remember that we’re not talking about “sinners” and
“non-sinners.” All people, spiritual and carnal alike, are sinners in need of a Savior. Our only righteousness comes
from Him. Instead, the criterion for inclusion in one group or the other is our personal relationship with the Holy
Spirit. God has stipulated that we cannot sever our relationship with the Holy Spirit without damaging our
connection to heaven (Matthew 12:32). Ellen White explains, “he who rejects the work of the Holy Spirit is placing
himself where repentance and faith cannot come to him. It is by the Spirit that God works upon the heart” (The
Desire of Ages, p. 322).
And it’s worth repeating: the only person I should be evaluating as spiritual or carnal is myself. God can work in
other hearts and doesn’t need me to pin labels on fellow church members. The good news is that if I’m
disappointed by what He reveals in my heart, He can change me starting today