By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  The apostle Paul in his writings exclusively addressed the problem of carnality within the church.  Most specifically, the church in Corinth was as carnal a congregation as existed in his time.  Yet, the Corinthian congregation was not unlike most churches that exist today.  In fact, I know of no congregation today that does not have carnal members.        

I.  What is carnality?

          A.  Carnality, from the Greek word means, “belonging to the flesh.”

          B.  Webster says it is showing a physical rather than a spiritual orientation.

          C.  At it’s worse, it means given to fleshly pleasures and fleshly appetites. 

II.  Christians can be carnal.

          A.  The Corinthians were carnal (1 Cor. 3:1-4). 

                   1.  Babes in Christ are expected to be carnal for a while.

                   2.  But the Corinthians were carnal since the time Paul last visited them over 5 years earlier.

                   3.  Paul said he could not give them the meat of the word because they were carnal.

          B.  Carnal members don’t grow (Heb. 5:12-14).

                   1.  Those who only study the basics are unskilled in the word and therefore are babes in Christ.

                   2.  But carnal members grow no more than they did when they became Christians.  In fact, they need to be taught the first principles all over.

                   3.  The deep things of Christ are for the spiritual members who, from study and application, are able to discern good from evil.

                   4.  Christians are expected to grow and understand (1 Cor. 13:11; 14:20). 

                   5.  But it takes a spiritual Christian to discern spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14-15).  All Christians are not spiritual.  Many Christians are carnal. 

III.  Carnality is a hindrance to the church.

          A.  Carnal members aren’t subject to Christ (Rom. 8:6-8). 

          B.  Carnal members cause divisions, strife and envy (1 Cor. 3:3).

                   1.  Where there is strife there is pride (James 4:1-6).

                   2.  Where there is envy and pride there is confusion and every evil thing (James 3:16).

                   3.  Pride is worldliness (1 John 2:16).

                   4.  Carnal members are proud.  Perhaps that is the reason Paul brings up the Corinthian’s puffed up attitude 5 times in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:6; 18-19; 5:2; 13:4).

                   5.  Pride in turn will cause more strife and envy (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

          C.  Therefore, something must be done to end division by carnal members (Rom. 16:17). 

Conclusion:  All churches have carnal members or at least they do if they have babes in Christ.  But when a Christian doesn’t grow spiritually in understanding, that Christian becomes a hindrance to the church.  Carnal Christians are a cause of envy, strife, and division because of their pride.  Pride will prevent spiritual growth. 

          If you haven’t been growing, learning and understanding God’s will as you should, please come…   

Last modified: 05/02/08