CARNAL A LOOK AT THE CONCEPT OF “CARNAL CHRISTIANITY” ————————————————– 1-25-91 [DFJ] OLD TESTAMENT USES FOR THE WORD CARNAL
Lev 18:20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to
defile thyself with her. (KJV) Lev 18:20 “`Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and
defile yourself with her. (NIV) Strong’s # 7903 shekobeth (shek-o’-beth); ( CARNALLY ) from 7901; a (sexual) lying with: KJV– X lie. (DIC) Strong’s # 7901 shakab (shaw-kab’); a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose): KJV– X at all, cast down, ([lover-]) lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. (DIC)
Lev 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. (KJV) Lev 19:20 “`If a man sleeps with a woman who is a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. (NIV)
Num 5:12-22 12 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `If a man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him 13 by sleeping with another man, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act), 14 and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure– or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure– 15 then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder offering to draw attention to guilt. 16 “`The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the LORD. 17 Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. 18 After the priest has had the woman stand before the LORD, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. 19 Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. 20 But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have defiled yourself by sleeping with a man other than your husband”– 21 here the priest is to put the woman under this curse of the oath–” may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. 22 May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away.” “`Then the woman is to say, “Amen. So be it.” (NIV) Strong’s # 7902 shekabah (shek-aw-baw’); ( CARNALLY ) from 7901; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act): KJV– X carnally, copulation, X lay, seed. (DIC) Strong’s # 7901 shakab (shaw-kab’); a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose): KJV– X at all, cast down, ([lover-]) lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. (DIC)
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold
under sin. (KJV)
Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as
a slave to sin. (NIV)
Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (KJV) Romans 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. (NIV)
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but
as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (KJV) 1 Cor 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–
mere infants in Christ. (NIV)
1 Cor 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? (KJV) 1 Cor 3:3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? (NIV)
1 Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if
we shall reap your carnal things? (KJV) 1 Cor 9:11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we
reap a material harvest from you? (NIV)
2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (KJV) 2 Cor 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (NIV)
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after
the power of an endless life. (KJV) Heb 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. (NIV) Strong’s # 4559 sarkikos (sar-kee-kos’); ( CARNAL ) from 4561; pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: KJV– carnal, fleshly. (DIC) Strong’s # 4561 sarx (sarx); probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties [physically or morally] and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): KJV– carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]). (DIC) Strong’s # 4563 saroo (sar-o’-o); from a derivative of sairo (to brush off; akin to 4951); meaning a broom; to sweep: KJV– sweep. (DIC)
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded
is life and peace. (KJV)
Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the
Spirit is life and peace; (NIV)
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (KJV) Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s
law, nor can it do so. (NIV)
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (KJV) Heb 9:10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings– external regulations applying until the time of the new order. (NIV) Strong’s # 4561 sarx (sarx); ( CARNAL ) probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties [physically or morally] and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): KJV– carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]). (DIC) Strong’s # 4563 saroo (sar-o’-o); from a derivative of sairo (to brush off; akin to 4951); meaning a broom; to sweep: KJV– sweep. (DIC)
NOTE: The NIV version does not use the word CARNAL. ( NIV – unspiritual )
The concept of a CARNAL Christian is perhaps best illustrated by;
1 Cor 3:1-3 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly– mere infants in Christ. (CARNAL-kjv) 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? (NIV) (CARNAL-kjv)
Heb 5:11-14 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
>>>——-> 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not
acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
>>>——-> 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have
trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (NIV)
ON THE OTHER HAND —
SOME CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRITUAL CARNALITY
Romans 8:6-7 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (NIV) ( HOSTILITY & DEATH )
Gal 5:13-26 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ( FLESH ) 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
>>>——-> 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ( FLESH ) 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
>>>——-> 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (NIV)
Gal 6:1-3 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2 Tim 2:14-26 14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” >>>——-> and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (NIV)
1 John 1:6-10 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (NIV)
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (NIV)
1 John 3:4-10 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (NIV)
It would appear that there are several conditions to mankind in view of Salvation —
- UNREGENERATE — Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,
sold as a slave to sin. (NIV)
- DRAWN — John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws
him, and I will raise him up at the last day. (NIV)
- INFANTS — 1 Cor 3:1-3 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but
as worldly– mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? (NIV)
- MATURE — Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have
trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (NIV)
- GODLY — 2 Peter 1:2-11 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NIV)
HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM FOR THE OBSERVING CHRISTIAN;
Matt 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (NIV)
Matt 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (NIV) 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (NIV)
Jude 1:12 These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm– shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted– twice dead. (NIV)
Matt 21:43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away
from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (NIV)
Matt 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (NIV) 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)
Luke 3:9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (NIV)
WE ARE TO DISCERN AND JUDGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD THOSE WHO WOULD PROFESS TO BE TRU CHRISTIANS, their WALK ( fruit ) NOT their HEART.
Luke 13:7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, `For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ (NIV) 8 “`Sir,’ the man replied, `leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. (NIV) 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” (NIV)
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (NIV)
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (NIV) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit– fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (NIV)
Phil 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, (NIV) 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, (NIV) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ– to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)
ONLY GOD KNOWS THOSE WHO WILL BE SAVED!
2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (NIV)
IT IS VERY IMPORTAN THAT THE OBSERVING CHRISTIAN UNDERSTAND THIS NEED TO DISCERN CAREFULLY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD
2 Cor 11:14-15 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)
Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness
and truth) (NIV)
Thanks be to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I remain your servant in Christ David F. Jones