Carnally Minded

“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?” (I Corinthians 3:1-3)

Have you ever called someone a “big baby?” This was Julie’s favorite expression for me when our boys were babies and needed a diaper change. Just the thought of handling those things made me quiver. She can probably count on one hand the number of diapers I changed over the years. She said I was a big baby. I say I am a man of above average intelligence! J

Paul referred to the Corinthian believers as “carnal babies” because of their spiritual immaturity. The expression “the proof is in the pudding” probably came out of the Corinthian church. The proof of their spiritual incompetence was evident in their constant divisive quarreling, much like children argue over worthless and insignificant matters. Paul says immature Christians are “worldly”, controlled by their own desires whereas mature believers are controlled by God’s desires. How much influence do your desires have on your life?

In My Utmost For His Highest Oswald Chambers addresses carnal Christianity:

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that."
When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

If the man who penned these words to the Corinthian church had to “beat his body” in order to bring it under submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, then how much more should we beat ours in order to submit to our Savior? How much influence do your desires have on your life? Is the goal of your life to make God’s desires your desires? What is the proof that carnality has gone?

Until Next Week,

Dr. Derek