But the natural 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)
Have you ever refused to receive something? Maybe someone tried to give you a gift, and you felt unworthy or embarrassed to receive it. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, the Apostle Paul gave us a picture of people who won’t receive the things God provides. Note that the issue is not that God doesn't give them, but that these people cannot accept what God has already released.
The person who does not receive is called the natural man. The phrase natural man describes someone who allows his flesh to rule and not his spirit. This can refer to someone who has no relationship with God, or someone who has a relationship with God but is controlled by their flesh, not their spirit.
Spiritual truth and spiritual blessings can only be perceived and received spiritually. Therefore, people who are not led by their spirit cannot hear what God is saying.
Most often when God gives you a Word, He will speak to you through your spirit. Even when you hear His direction, if you aren’t led by the Spirit in your spirit, you can get ahead of God or behind Him. We must be people who are guided by the Holy Spirit at all times.
Practical Application – Pray for insight and understanding, then pray for timing. God may choose any one of several different methods to speak to you, but your job is to have an ear willing to hear what the Spirit has to say, a hand ready to act or give when the Holy Spirit speaks and feet ready to go when the Holy Spirit dictates.
Proverbs 20:27; Romans 8:9