Spiritual understanding comes from the Holy Spirit and makes the Scriptures clear to believers, while natural understanding—the unsaved 'natural man'—cannot receive or know the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.
The Bible plainly says the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God; they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned. Les Feldick teaches that even the most intellectual person cannot grasp the deep things of Scripture until God opens his eyes through a salvation experience, after which the book opens up and believers can compare Scripture with Scripture.
1 Corinthians 2:14 — This is the central verse defining the difference: the natural man cannot receive or discern the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:13 — Paul shows that believers speak words taught by the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, which is the essence of spiritual understanding.
In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Scripture says, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." This shows that the ability to understand spiritual truths is a gift from the Holy Spirit, not something produced by human wisdom or intellect. Verse 14 immediately draws the contrast: "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." The natural man, the person without the Spirit, not only rejects these things but is unable to know them. The Spirit of God is the one who teaches and imparts understanding of the things of God. Scripture further describes the unsaved person's condition: he is "blind" and minds the things of the flesh (Romans 8:5). This is why the hidden wisdom of God remains closed to those who are outside of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that the difference is radical: a person in their natural state, spiritually dead because of Adam's sin, cannot comprehend the things of God. It is not a matter of intelligence or education—even the most brilliant, highly educated person cannot know the things of God unless the Holy Spirit reveals them. Les explains that the unsaved person may read some of the stories and miracles in Scripture, but the deep, doctrinal truths are a closed book. He has bluntly told people who cannot understand his teaching, "Once you come to know the Lord, you won't have that problem." A salvation experience changes everything: the Holy Spirit enlightens believers, the Scriptures begin to open up, and they can even compare spiritual things with spiritual. He also emphasizes patience with unbelievers, since only God can open their eyes and hearts. He had a gentleman attend his class for three years before ever becoming a believer; once that man believed, he began to comprehend the Scriptures and grow quickly.
Spiritual truth must be understood through the Holy Spirit. Paul says believers speak words taught by the Holy Spirit, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Les Feldick points out that this is why believers can compare one part of Scripture with another and see how it all connects, while the unsaved person cannot see those connections. The natural man cannot know the things of God because they are spiritually discerned—that is, the Spirit must be the teacher.
The Bible says the things of the Spirit are foolishness to the natural man. Les Feldick explains that the unsaved person is spiritually dead, blinded by the god of this world, and has no concept of the Spirit. He minds only the things of the flesh—materialism, fleshly appetites, and worldly concerns. Therefore, spiritual matters seem unreasonable and even foolish to him.
Les Feldick teaches that once a person is born again by the Spirit of God, the book opens up. A new believer, even the most infantile in faith, can suddenly understand what was previously beyond him. Les has seen people who knew nothing of the things of God, but as soon as they became believers, they could see the whole thing. He also notes that believers continue to grow in understanding as they grow in their Christian experience.
Believers Compare Spiritual Things
Les shows that even the most immature believer can understand the Bible and compare Scripture with Scripture, while the unsaved person cannot see how the parts are connected.
The Natural Man Cannot Receive
Les states plainly that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit and that new believers suddenly see the whole picture.
God Opens Eyes in His Timing
Les explains that God opens the eyes and hearts of unbelievers in His own timing, so he is patient with them.
No Comprehension Without Salvation
Les bluntly tells people that they will not understand the Word until they have a salvation experience, because the Holy Spirit must open it up.
Stories Yes, Deep Truths No
Les acknowledges that an unbeliever may enjoy some Bible stories and miracles, but the deep things of Scripture are impossible to comprehend without becoming a child of God.
The Spirit Must Reveal
Les emphasizes that no human intellect or education can know the things of God unless the Holy Spirit reveals them; the unsaved mind is a closed book until salvation.
Belief Ends the Confusion
Les recounts a man who struggled for years until he became a believer, after which he could comprehend the Scriptures and grow.
Fleshly Mind vs. Spiritual Mind
Les contrasts the unsaved person, who is in spiritual darkness and minds the flesh, with the believer, who lives according to the Spirit and minds the things of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
This verse defines spiritual understanding as something taught by the Holy Spirit and compares spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:14: 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.
This is the key verse showing that the natural man cannot receive or know the things of God because they require spiritual discernment.
Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
This reinforces why the unsaved, natural man is concerned with the flesh and cannot perceive the things of the Spirit.
According to Les Feldick, an unbeliever may be able to read some of the stories and miracles in Scripture and get something from them, but the basic deep things of the Word cannot be understood until you become a child of God.
Because the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. The Bible says they are foolishness unto him, and he cannot know them since they are spiritually discerned. Les Feldick adds that the unsaved person is spiritually dead and blinded by the god of this world.
It means the Holy Spirit teaches believers to compare one part of Scripture with another so they understand how the whole Bible connects. Les Feldick says this is something an unsaved person cannot do.
Les realized that people cannot comprehend the things of God until God opens their eyes and hearts in His own timing. He could be patient because he knew a person's inability to understand was spiritual, not intellectual.
Watch the Teaching: Why Unbelievers Can't Understand the Bible — 1 Corinthians 2 Explained