Text: Romans 8:14; 1 Cor. 3:1-4
Defining Carnality: There are three types of people.
• The natural man (1 Cor. 2:14).
• This individual has not experienced rebirth and is controlled by the flesh.
• The carnal man (Rom. 8:4-8).
• This person is born again, but unfortunately, he still thinks and lives like the natural man. He is childish in his behavior, and his desires and cravings dominate him (Rom. 8:4-8; 1
Cor. 3:1-3).
• Carnal is the Greek word “sarkikos,” and it is defined as having the nature of flesh, that is, sensual, controlled by animal appetites, and governed by human nature instead of being governed by the Spirit of God.
• Carnal Christians do not experience growth and stay spiritually immature (Heb. 5:12-14).
• The spiritual man.
• These individuals are allowing the Word of God to transform their minds, and the fruit of the Spirit is visible in their daily lives (John 15:8; Gal. 5:22-23). Carnality hindered the Corinthians from growing in their relationship with the Lord. Paul points out that envy, strife, and divisions are indicators of carnality.
Here are three ways to transition from being carnal to becoming Christlike.
• Recognize the Signs of Carnality (1 Cor. 3:3).
• Live a crucified life (Gal. 5:24).
• Living a crucified life requires us to die daily to everything that opposes the word of God.
• Our old nature was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20), and now we need to allow our souls to align with what God has already accomplished in our spirits.
• Renew Your Mind with the Word of God.
• Spiritual growth and maturity come through a steady diet of the Word of God (Prov. 4:20-22).
• Be Honest with yourself.—Spend some time this week asking, Where am I still letting my flesh call the shots? You can’t grow if you don’t admit where you’re stuck.
• Reject your old self and embrace Christ. Each day, let go of attitudes or habits that don’t reflect Him and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
• Feed your spirit daily. Open your Bible and let it shape how you think and act. Don’t just read it, live it out.
