“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”. Romans 8:6-7 (KJV)
Anytime carnality is mentioned, people easily limit it to sexual sin. But the subject of carnality transcends beyond sexual sin. To be carnal simply means to be fleshly or earthly. Once we become earthly, there are certain traits that we exhibit which are impediments to our spirituality.
First of all, we need to understand that man is a spirit, that has a soul and lives in a body. Our spirit is the image of God that we carry. Whiles our soul is our real identity and our body is the vessel that contains the soul. The body make us relate physically on earth, whiles our spirit makes us to relate with God. Now, the soul is what God is interested in because, it contains our will and choices. It is the choices we make that determines whether we are God’s or the devil’s or we are living unto ourselves.
That is why people will boldly declare that, they are Christians because they have decided to live for Christ, others also claim to be Satanists because they have also decided to live unto their master Satan, even though they were not created by him. And then we have the atheist who have also decided to live unto themselves. We can make any choice we want as humans but every choice we make, comes with certain protocols and consequences. That is why God will not force himself on us. Since those protocols and consequences are already in place, they will be enforced by our actions and an inactions. And He has made them known to us right from creation till date.
For us to decide to become Christians, we have decided to live for him. Therefore, our souls must dictate to the flesh in order to live in accordance with our spirituality. And the only way that can be done successfully to crucify the flesh. In other words, by super imposing our will or choices over the flesh. Because our flesh is earthly, it easily relates to its environment wanting anything that makes it feel good such as sexual desires, jealousy, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, gossip, malice, unhealthy competition etc. When we make choices based on the dictates of the flesh, we break the divine protocol and automatically position ourselves for the consequences to be activated. Living according to the flesh sets us up against God.
Before we proceed further, let consider the definition of cancer as we juxtapose it with carnality and our Christian walk. Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body and thereby terminating it. When we allow our flesh to dictate to us, it becomes like cancer in our Christian walk, weakening our faith, impeding the supernatural experience, inhibiting our spiritual growth and finally disconnecting(killing) our relationship with God. Like I said earlier, it is not only sexual sin that makes you carnal but it also includes all works of the flesh as recorded in Galatians 5:19-21.
The fact that we are Christians does not make us immune to carnality or the works of the flesh. The early church also struggled with the issue of carnality. Let’s consider the passage below;
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 1Corinthians 3:1-4, KJV.
From the above scripture, you will notice that the early church also struggled with carnality. They were exhibiting envy, strife and division which inhibited their spiritual growth. That was why Paul the Apostle referred to them as “babes”.
Beloved, carnality can creep on anyone. It doesn’t matter our status in the Christian faith, we may be Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, Archbishops etc. it has the proclivity to creep into us. We must therefore be on guard and fight it through Bible study, prayer, fasting and making conscious effort to defy the works of the flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit to subdue the flesh. Lest we may be caught up in the web of carnality by surprise. God help us and bless us all. Shalom!
Pray with me
Lord Jesus, I ask for forgiveness for my carnality. I repent and surrender my mind, my will, my life to You. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to help me to live a spirit-controlled life. Help me to bear the fruits of the Spirit. Prompt me anytime I deviate into carnality. May your name be glorified and honored in Jesus precious name! Amen!
Author: REV. SOLOMON KWAME LUTTERODT
