There are two stages of Christian life: Carnal and Spiritual. These two stages play a big role in our lives, depending on where we are at any given time in our walk with Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 we read the following, " 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. 3:2 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. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I will explain the two stages. What it means to be carnal and, From carnality to spirituality.

One has to realize his carnal state, before the spiritual life can be of any benefit. In the above text, there are four principal marks of carnal state as follows:-
1. State of protracted infancy.
2. State of sinfulness and failing.
3. Lack of graces of the holy life.
4. Incapacity for receiving spiritual truth.

The first state is when a christian is not growing. Paul said, "You are babes in christ".

In Hebrews 5:12-14 Paul said, "5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

What are the marks of a babe? The FIRST is, the babe can not help himself and has to be helped by others. The SECOND is, he can not help others. The THIRD and dangerous is, babes are known to have been burnt to death in bed without moving. His servival is in other people's hands. If one does not grow in knowledge and experience to help others, he is dangerous to his own life, a risk to others and is still in the carnal state.

The second state is a state of sin and and failure. There is no victory over sin.

Paul in 1 corinthians 3:3 said, " 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" Such are the works of flesh. Their quarreling was the reason why he wrote chapter 13 of Corinthians.
The book of Galatians 5:20-21 cites the works of the flesh as follows, " 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

The third state is that spiritual gifts may still be found in the man in the carnal state.

In 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 paul said, " 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;'
1 corinthians 3:3, Paul then says, "3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

The fourth state is the incapacity to receive spiritual truth.

Paul to the church members in 1 Corinthians 3:1 said, "3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ."

Paul realized the problem of their in ability to receive spiritual truth. It was not that they were in darkness, not at all.They were a cultured, enriched people. In 1 Corinthians 1:5 he said "1:5..ye are enriched........in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;"
A Christian who is carnal, does not benefit from the spiritual truth UNTIL HE RECOGNIZES THAT HE IS CARNAL. The carnal state is not capable to receive spiritual truth.