CARNAL CHRISTIANS - TAKE WARNING
1 Corinthians 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 word carnal means “as pertaining to flesh” referring to the physical body and comes from the biblical root word flesh, as in the meat under the skin. Both words as used in most scriptures refer to the sinful nature of mankind, the unregenerate nature, also called the “old man”.
A Carnal Christian is one who is not fully living in the will and way of God; he is NOT walking or living a sanctified (separated) life of being led by the “spirit”. Why?..... because he is compromised with the world due to his lusts which he continues to nourish. He has not completely “put off the old man”, the old sinful nature, but is hanging onto some of those lusts that he fails to give up or put off.
Ephesians 4:20-22 – But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation (behavior of) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This means that carnal Christians have not fully repented of all of their sins and former way of living. Unfortunately, repentance is not being taught in many churches today so nothing changes except that they added belief in Jesus Christ to their knowledge. However the evidence of being a true Christian is a changed (repented) life: living a way that properly represents Jesus Christ. They prefer to hang onto certain behaviors and habits that their flesh, (old nature) desires.
Since all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for all we have done, said, and the way we lived in this life after receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, believers who have not fully repented will be found lacking in the righteousness that is freely given to us by our Lord. All will give an account; the problem is that too many are not aware of their accountability to Him.
Romans 14:10 -12 – But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 – every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Those who still hold to worldly, fleshly, carnal lusts and desires are not totally given over to Christ or conformed to His image and likeness.
Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 4:19 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
This was the apostle Paul’s concern for the Christians at Rome:
Romans 13:11-14 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
In the above verse Paul is giving a warning to stop compromising with the world and to put off carnal/fleshly behavior. Compromise with the world and setting your affections on things of the world is evidence that a Christian is walking in the flesh and not in the “spirit”.
Romans 8:1, 8-9 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ….. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Many Christians fail to recognize how serious a matter compromising with the things of this world is to their spiritual life. The apostle John spoke of this:
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Note that the word world is from the Greek word cosmos which refers to the social order of unregenerate mankind. In the verses above John identified the areas of human vulnerability that lead to sin. Satan used all three to tempt Eve in the garden; he also used all three to tempt Jesus in the wilderness after his 40 days of fasting. Satan knows these areas can defeat man and cause him to sin; it has worked so well for him throughout history. Satan does not cause you to sin, he just entices and tempts you with either one of these three and you choose to sin.
James 1:14-16 – but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
The apostle Paul had an even stronger warning against compromise with the world and allowing certain behavior to remain in you that have not been turned away from. These are the works of the flesh; carnal behavior:
Galatians 5:16-21 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh fights against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.
Note the warning: they which do such things shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. This is why the apostles and the scriptures teach us how to live. This is not about works, it is about living the Christ filled, Spirit led, life as a result of what God provided through Jesus Christ. Now as far as walking and living in the spirit, Paul also tells us this:
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Notice he says they that are Christ’s show evidence of their change and sanctified Spirit led life:
Please understand that the Fruit of the Spirit is actually the character and nature of Christ (and God the Father). That was the nature that was lost when sin entered in the Garden. Jesus restores that lost holy nature to us; and it should be seen and evident in His followers. These fruits are only produced by allowing the life of Christ to be in you and flow out through you.
John 15:4-8 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Note that this fruit is not man’s works as it can only be produced by the life giving spirit of Christ in you.
Galatians 4:6 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
It is the Spirit of Christ that brings the new life, but you must put off the old life by dying to self, that old carnal nature so the new redeemed nature can show.
Luke 9:23 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Note: the cross is the symbol of death. This is also what water baptism symbolizes: dying to self/flesh, burying it, then rising up into a new changed life.
Galatians 5:24 – And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Therefore, a warning for all carnal (compromised) Christians; REPENT and make yourself ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, because all the signs Jesus told would precede His return are now present. So make due diligence to prepare for His coming.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 13:11 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
1 Corinthians 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 word carnal means “as pertaining to flesh” referring to the physical body and comes from the biblical root word flesh, as in the meat under the skin. Both words as used in most scriptures refer to the sinful nature of mankind, the unregenerate nature, also called the “old man”.
A Carnal Christian is one who is not fully living in the will and way of God; he is NOT walking or living a sanctified (separated) life of being led by the “spirit”. Why?..... because he is compromised with the world due to his lusts which he continues to nourish. He has not completely “put off the old man”, the old sinful nature, but is hanging onto some of those lusts that he fails to give up or put off.
Ephesians 4:20-22 – But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation (behavior of) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This means that carnal Christians have not fully repented of all of their sins and former way of living. Unfortunately, repentance is not being taught in many churches today so nothing changes except that they added belief in Jesus Christ to their knowledge. However the evidence of being a true Christian is a changed (repented) life: living a way that properly represents Jesus Christ. They prefer to hang onto certain behaviors and habits that their flesh, (old nature) desires.
Since all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for all we have done, said, and the way we lived in this life after receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, believers who have not fully repented will be found lacking in the righteousness that is freely given to us by our Lord. All will give an account; the problem is that too many are not aware of their accountability to Him.
Romans 14:10 -12 – But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 – every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Those who still hold to worldly, fleshly, carnal lusts and desires are not totally given over to Christ or conformed to His image and likeness.
Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 4:19 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
This was the apostle Paul’s concern for the Christians at Rome:
Romans 13:11-14 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
In the above verse Paul is giving a warning to stop compromising with the world and to put off carnal/fleshly behavior. Compromise with the world and setting your affections on things of the world is evidence that a Christian is walking in the flesh and not in the “spirit”.
Romans 8:1, 8-9 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ….. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Many Christians fail to recognize how serious a matter compromising with the things of this world is to their spiritual life. The apostle John spoke of this:
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Note that the word world is from the Greek word cosmos which refers to the social order of unregenerate mankind. In the verses above John identified the areas of human vulnerability that lead to sin. Satan used all three to tempt Eve in the garden; he also used all three to tempt Jesus in the wilderness after his 40 days of fasting. Satan knows these areas can defeat man and cause him to sin; it has worked so well for him throughout history. Satan does not cause you to sin, he just entices and tempts you with either one of these three and you choose to sin.
James 1:14-16 – but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
The apostle Paul had an even stronger warning against compromise with the world and allowing certain behavior to remain in you that have not been turned away from. These are the works of the flesh; carnal behavior:
Galatians 5:16-21 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh fights against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.
Note the warning: they which do such things shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. This is why the apostles and the scriptures teach us how to live. This is not about works, it is about living the Christ filled, Spirit led, life as a result of what God provided through Jesus Christ. Now as far as walking and living in the spirit, Paul also tells us this:
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Notice he says they that are Christ’s show evidence of their change and sanctified Spirit led life:
Please understand that the Fruit of the Spirit is actually the character and nature of Christ (and God the Father). That was the nature that was lost when sin entered in the Garden. Jesus restores that lost holy nature to us; and it should be seen and evident in His followers. These fruits are only produced by allowing the life of Christ to be in you and flow out through you.
John 15:4-8 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Note that this fruit is not man’s works as it can only be produced by the life giving spirit of Christ in you.
Galatians 4:6 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
It is the Spirit of Christ that brings the new life, but you must put off the old life by dying to self, that old carnal nature so the new redeemed nature can show.
Luke 9:23 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Note: the cross is the symbol of death. This is also what water baptism symbolizes: dying to self/flesh, burying it, then rising up into a new changed life.
Galatians 5:24 – And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Therefore, a warning for all carnal (compromised) Christians; REPENT and make yourself ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, because all the signs Jesus told would precede His return are now present. So make due diligence to prepare for His coming.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 13:11 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
