What is a carnal Christian?

The Bible says that we cannot serve two masters. Someone who is carnal serves the things of the flesh. They are lost. Christians serve the things of the spirit (the Lord Jesus Christ). There is no such thing as a "carnal christian."

 

In order to properly answer the question, one should let the Bible define what the word carnal means, rather than his dictionary or lexicon.

After looking at every NT reference for the word 'carnal' I have been able to see that 'carnal' refers to the flesh. Period.

Whomever said there is no such thing as a "carnal christian" should look at this:
1Co 3:1
¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 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.
1Co 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?

Clearly Paul says contrariwise to the afore mentioned friend of this board. Obviously, now even as then, there ARE carnal christians.

The context of Romans eight is such that Paul is indeed showing a CONTRAST but it is not that of saved/unsaved. Rather it is maturity in Christ/immaturity in Christ. As such, as he says, one who is immature and living in/for the flesh is at enmity with God. And as Paul says later in the chapter, one who is at enmity with God WILL NOT inherit the glory which will soon be revealed. But and IF one does "suffer with Him" (by putting down the fleshly ways of his body) that christian will be glorified and "reign with Him".

Simple.

Our friend who identified the 'carnal christian' as being the immature babe who does not live, act or speak in a spiritually mature manner; is the correct one in this thread.

Far too many christians in this Laodicean age miss or ignore or redefine things in Scripture which are given to us that we might go on to the full measure in Christ.

Have a nice day.

 

You say Carnal = flesh.
How do you define fleshly desires?

Where do you draw the line.

I have my opinions, but I am interested in yours.

 

tinytim,

I know your question was not primarily directed at me, but Id like to add my opinion on this, that "carnal" in and of itself is not equal to "sin." There are "carnal" matters which must be dealt with in this life.....eating, paying the bills, etc. It is simply speaking of those things which do not pertain to spiritual matters.

But a "carnal Christian" is one who is primarily concerned with fleshly matters OVER spiritual things.....

The connotation of the word in the Bible is typically bad, because we tend to place our emphasis and main concern on things of this world, carnal things, rather than spiritual things.

 

I agree with you, Bapmom,

But there are some that think that if you have any enjoyment in life, you are being carnal.

 

I agree tinytim,

they are found all over the place, too....definitely not just within "fundamentalism" or IFBdom.

 

Study out the works of the flesh from the Bible, you'll find those who react in any of those 13 ways are yet carnal.

I enjoy life, but I don't participate in those those that tend to bring out the carnality in me, yes, me too!

And you too!

 

"What is a carnal Christian? "

A Christian that turns his nose up to vegetarian chili?

 

Isn't it great that when we get saved our "want tos" change.

isn't it great that Christians can still have fun, but now we don't need something to be sinful to be fun.

 

There is no such thing as a carnal Christian. There are unsaved carnal people posing as Christians. That being said, it doesn't mean that any one of us are perfect. Far from it. The important question is who or what is our master in life.

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

If we place the things of this world over God we are carnal.

 

StraightAndNarrow,

but the Bible specifically calls some Christians carnal. So you've got a problem there.

 

I am not sure what you mean by a carnal Christian. Yes, saved people sin. But, the dominate driving force, what is in the heart, is the Holy Spirit, and if you observe this person over a period of time, the Christ-like life should be winning out. If you mean by carnal Christian a person who shows no Christ like periods or coming back to God in Godly sorrow after sinning, no he is not a Christian. The daily battle of the Christian is described in Romans 7-8. I worked with a man who said he was a Christian and got drunk every day, even came to work drunk. He showed no remorse, and said, I am saved so all is forgiven. That is a good indication he is not saved. Had he got drunk once and come back to God, I would think differently.

 

sn- As, to your story: Oh you mean like Lot, who rose on to be mayor of Sodom Well, maybe he only presided once over the city council? Ya' Think?

BTW, he is my favorite Biblical character, not because of what he did then, but what he does to most every theological 'system', today.

Ed

 

There seem to be two conversations going on here, and neither side seems to acknowledge the other.

1. If a person is in the flesh, he is not saved
2. A Christian can be carnal

The two concepts are not mutually exclusive.

Romans 8 does describe the difference between the unsaved and saved. The comparison is between those who have the Spirit and those who do not.

1 Cor 3 does describe Christians who are carnal. They have the Spirit, but they live such that they let the flesh win in the war between the Spirit and the flesh.

I think the original post simply included an incorrect selection of text as the example for the question.

 

One of my prof's ranks the Carnal Christian right up there with Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster.

I tend to agree. I John.

 

To say there are no carnal Christians one would have to tell the Apostle Paul he didn't know what he was talking about. Because God thought enough to forever this in Heaven it is proof to me that there is Christians that are living in the flesh. Just read some of the arguments posted on this board should tell you that much! Saying that one must realize there is coming a day when Christians will stand before Christ and give an account of their lives. Some will rule with Him.....and some will not, Heb.3:14. I have been preaching to "Christians" for years to live like Christ. Is that an easy job? Read some of the junk posted on BB and ask the question again.

 

If by "rule with him" you mean go to Heaven then we agree. Heb. 3:14 talks about the necessity of following Christ throughout our lives not just making a profession of faith 30 years ago.

Hbr 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

But if those you call "carnal Christians" are doomed to hell, how can you call them Christians?

 

The carnal man does not make disciples.