Are You a Carnal Christian?

[GodsGrace]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

 

[Grailhunter]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

With all due respect GodsGrace be careful of labels.
Carnel is a negative term that distorts the actual topic.
Should we be a physical Christian or a spiritual Christian?
I believe we should be both.
We should have belief and faith in Yeshua.
We should physically emulate Yeshua.
Like James explained....If we see someone naked and cold and hungry.....Saying to them, Cheer up and have faith in Yeshua is not the thing to do. We should physically help them and minister to their spiritual needs.
To walk in the spirit is to follow and think the ways of Christ but still one physical foot in front of the other. The terms overlap between reality of the physical and thought and actions.

 

[Lambano]

Carnal = Flesh

From the Latin carnis, meaning “steak”.

 

[Lambano]

From the Latin carnis, meaning “steak”.

I think it’s unfortunate that Paul used the Greek word sarx (“flesh”) to represent the human sin-nature. It brings into play the Gnostic concept that all matter and all things in God’s Creation are inherently evil. This is a construct of first century pagan philosophy that John had to address:

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 2:7)

I think the NIV got it right by translating sarx as “sin nature” when contextually appropriate.

 

[Lambano]

Be careful of labels.
Carnel is a negative term that distorts the actual topic.

Now to get to the “meat” of the topic. "The world, the flesh, and the Devil" (Ephesians 2:1-3 reference) are the sources of temptation for the Christian, and those don't go away when you become a Christian. We have to fight it, and yes, we are going to stumble and fall (despite what some people self-righteously claim). If you want to characterize someone's life by their failures with the label "carnal", go ahead. Just watch your own pride.

 

[Lambano]

Be careful of labels.
Carnel is a negative term that distorts the actual topic.
Should we be a physical Christian or a spiritual Christian?
I believe we should be both.
We should have belief and faith in Yeshua.
We should physically emulate Yeshua.
Like James explained....If we see someone naked and cold and hungry.....Saying to them, Cheer up and have faith in Yeshua is not the thing to do. We should physically help them and minister to their spiritual needs.

As a Methodist, I would agree with you. There are others who prefer more "spiritual" pursuits to clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. To each his own, I guess.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Be careful of labels.
Carnel is a negative term that distorts the actual topic.
Should we be a physical Christian or a spiritual Christian?
I believe we should be both.
We should have belief and faith in Yeshua.
We should physically emulate Yeshua.
Like James explained....If we see someone naked and cold and hungry.....Saying to them, Cheer up and have faith in Yeshua is not the thing to do. We should physically help them and minister to their spiritual needs.

She merely quoted Paul. Carnal is correct, implying still having a sin nature.

• Corinthians 3:1
  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:3
  for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like meremen?
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:4
  For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

 

[1stCenturyLady]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

You are right. Not all in Corinth were saved. Here is Paul's next letter, chapter 7.

9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

cc: @Grailhunter

 

[JLB]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4


Paul teaches that the reason they are carnal, still functioning by their flesh (sin) nature is they follow after and thus identify with (the teachings of) men, which of course the natural by product of this is strife and divisions.

A good example of this today is those who label themselves as “Calvinist’s” or “Catholics” or any number of “labels” that represent the embodiment of the teachings of men.


Christian means follower of Christ; a follower of the lifestyle and teachings of Christ.


He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:6

 

[Grailhunter]

She merely quoted Paul. Carnal is correct, implying still having a sin nature.

• Corinthians 3:1
  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:3
  for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like meremen?
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:4
  For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Actually the word carnal does not appear in the scriptures.

1st Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

1st Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

!st Corinthians 3:4
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?


LOL OK then we have to be careful of the King James Version.

Carnel definition......Relating to the physical especially sex and sexual activities.
Because a lot of Christians consider sex as dirty, nasty, sinful, and of the devil....this word puts an unnecessary negative spin on the topic. And even changes the meaning.

These scriptures are a matter of thinking or of the heart because no matter how spiritual we are we are still flesh and blood. When we apply Yeshua's teachings to our actions it is in the physical. So that is why I say we need to be physical Christians and spiritual Christians. Spiritual Christians in understanding and beliefs but if it never equates to physical actions then it is of no use.

 

[JohnDB]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

Ya know....
There is an issue with most English speakers....
It's a combination of hubris and self-righteousness. AKA no ability to admit they are currently wrong. They might admit that they WERE wrong and possibly MIGHT be wrong in the future at some indeterminate point in time....but currently it's impossible for them to be wrong at the moment of questioning.

So....
The possibility of people admitting to being a "carnal" Christian is not in the cards of possibility.

Same with Gnostics. I've seen people openly admit to believing and acting upon every tenet of Gnosticism but refuse the title at the same time.

Shoot....some people are still proud of being Calvinistic, Dispensationalist, and other horrible things. But not carnal or nominal.

 

[RepentingChristian]

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
car·nal
/ˈkärn(ə)l/
adjective
adjective: carnal
relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities.
"carnal desire"

I think we are all carnal as long as we exist in the physical state.

 

[Lambano]

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
car·nal
/ˈkärn(ə)l/
adjective
adjective: carnal
relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities.
"carnal desire"

I think we are all carnal as long as we exist in the physical state.

Would it be more precise to say we are all affected by carnal temptations

…. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these… (from Galatians 5:19-21)

to some extent?

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Actually the word carnal does not appear in the scriptures.

1st Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

1st Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

!st Corinthians 3:4
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

View attachment 76135
LOL OK then we have to be careful of the King James Version.

Carnel definition......Relating to the physical especially sex and sexual activities.
Because a lot of Christians consider sex as dirty, nasty, sinful, and of the devil....this word puts an unnecessary negative spin on the topic. And even changes the meaning.

These scriptures are a matter of thinking or of the heart because no matter how spiritual we are we are still flesh and blood. When we apply Yeshua's teachings to our actions it is in the physical. So that is why I say we need to be physical Christians and spiritual Christians. Spiritual Christians in understanding and beliefs but if it never equates to physical actions then it is of no use.

Yes, Paul says we are not in the "flesh" but in the Spirit, he is talking about lawlessness that covers also sexual sin, but not immature fruit of the Spirit that are automatically cleansed when walking in the Spirit 1 John 1:7. We are free of "mortal" sins, sins unto death. That was the sin nature. If born again of the Spirit we do not have a sin nature, but a clean human nature that may partake of the divine nature of God. John 15:3; 1 John 3:4-5-9

Do you agree, or do you believe as some teach that true Christians still have a sin nature and are not new creations?

 

[amigo de christo]

There's a discussion between @Biblica and myself on a different thread.

He uses the expression: Carnal Christian

I'm of the opinion that there's no such person as a Carnal Christian.

Paul said:

Galatians 5:17
17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 8:8
8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1 Corinthians is a warning to those that are still on milk and not on solid food.
Paul is telling them that they're FLESHLY and are walking like mere men....
Paul states that we are to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.

Carnal = Flesh


I'd really like to hear from:
@JLB
@LoveYeshua
@ProDeo
@Rightglory
@Lambano
@shepherdsword

I apologize to others whose theology I respect but have forgotten at the moment.

Sigrid represents amigo
the lil dog any doctrine contrary to CHRIST JESUS . enjoy the reminder .

 

[amigo de christo]

Actually the word carnal does not appear in the scriptures.

1st Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

1st Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

!st Corinthians 3:4
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

View attachment 76135
LOL OK then we have to be careful of the King James Version.

Carnel definition......Relating to the physical especially sex and sexual activities.
Because a lot of Christians consider sex as dirty, nasty, sinful, and of the devil....this word puts an unnecessary negative spin on the topic. And even changes the meaning.

These scriptures are a matter of thinking or of the heart because no matter how spiritual we are we are still flesh and blood. When we apply Yeshua's teachings to our actions it is in the physical. So that is why I say we need to be physical Christians and spiritual Christians. Spiritual Christians in understanding and beliefs but if it never equates to physical actions then it is of no use.

Sigrid is like amigo
and the dog is as ecumenical interfaith . enjoy the reminder .

 

[Grailhunter]

Yes, Paul says we are not in the "flesh" but in the Spirit, he is talking about lawlessness that covers also sexual sin, but not immature fruit of the Spirit that are automatically cleansed when walking in the Spirit 1 John 1:7. We are free of "mortal" sins, sins unto death. That was the sin nature. If born again of the Spirit we do not have a sin nature, but a clean human nature that may partake of the divine nature of God. John 15:3; 1 John 3:4-5-9

Do you agree, or do you believe as some teach that true Christians still have a sin nature and are not new creations?

Less of a sin nature but still we are not perfect. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1st John 1:8 OSAS is a false belief.
And I am not saying do not be a spiritual Christian or walk in the spirit but to get anything physical done it has to be physical. Christ and the Apostles traveled in the physical to spread the Good News. Christ used the spiritual to physically heal people. We run a physical soup kitchen due to the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit so the physical and the spiritual go hand and hand.

 

[RepentingChristian]

Would it be more precise to say we are all affected by carnal temptations

…. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these… (from Galatians 5:19-21)

to some extent?

I believe so, brother. I'm trying to repent from carnality, but I'm not yet there.

Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

[RepentingChristian]

If born again of the Spirit we do not have a sin nature, but a clean human nature that may partake of the divine nature of God. John 15:3; 1 John 3:4-5-9

Sadly, that's not me.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Less of a sin nature but still we are not perfect. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1st John 1:8 OSAS is a false belief.
And I am not saying do not be a spiritual Christian or walk in the spirit but to get anything physical done it has to be physical. Christ and the Apostles traveled in the physical to spread the Good News. Christ used the spiritual to physically heal people. We run a physical soup kitchen due to the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit so the physical and the spiritual go hand and hand.

The sin nature was created from disobeying a law of God, thus a mortal sin. The sin nature desires to commit lawless sin, not the lesser sins of immature fruit such as impatience. You can still be impatient and it not be from a sin nature. It is "human nature." Otherwise, Jesus lied that He took away our sin, that includes the desire.

The false doctrine of "sin is sin" was created only 500 years ago at the beginning of the Reformation. Before that the church at large knew sin the same way they always did through the first century and before - sins unto death and sins not unto death. The RCC called them rightly "mortal" sins and "venial" sins. This is why Protestants argue against sinlessness, saying we will always have a sin nature. False, and blasphemy against the blood of Jesus.

True sinlessness is merely righteousness, not "sinless perfection." Those two words do not occur at the same time. Jesus takes away our desire to commit lawlessness, thus we are made righteous/sinless. Perfection on the other had is control over all the lesser sins or immature fruit of the Spirit. 2 Peter 5-11 shows how perfection/holiness/never stumbling can happen in this lifetime. The Church after the apostles have never taught holiness through the gift of the Holy Spirit for all.