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| Carnal? What an oxymoron! (No, I didn't call you a moron.) |
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Thank you, Paul Ahnert, for inspiring this topic with your suggestion!
Ever come across people who engage in questionable behavior, putting others down and finding no fault in their spite-filled actions, then find yourself surprised when they claim to be Christian?
Sadly, this is a common occurrence in today's world.
If they really are what they claim to be, one may perhaps consider them "carnal".
Being carnal means living "in the flesh", or living according to our own sinfully self-gratifying ways. This is considered the opposite of living in the Spirit—honoring God in how we live, act, and treat one another, taking account of biblical wisdom.
"Carnal Christian" sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?
I've had former friends who were supposedly raised in "Christian" families, their homes even decorated with "Christian"-themed items like crucifixes, angel ornaments, and paintings like da Vinci's The Last Supper, and rosaries hanging from the front-view mirror in their car (a number of them were particularly Catholic)... Things that would imply their awareness of their supposed beliefs. Some of them even wore cross necklaces and attended church on Easter Sunday or Christmas evening, some even saying "God bless you" and participating in communion. Yet such beliefs played no real part in their day to day lives, and everything about them still resembled the typical fleshly behavior of the world.
Many supposed believing families have a dysfunctional and tense relationship, leading their kids to follow their own desired path as if God didn't matter or didn't exist to them, even if they still claimed to believe. And those in such questionable upbringing who still believe may walk in such a way that their approach to their supposed beliefs are carnal, even appearing as harsh and self-righteous as Pharisees toward others; they care more about being correct than being kind to others.
Ever come across people who engage in questionable behavior, putting others down and finding no fault in their spite-filled actions, then find yourself surprised when they claim to be Christian?
Sadly, this is a common occurrence in today's world.
If they really are what they claim to be, one may perhaps consider them "carnal".
Being carnal means living "in the flesh", or living according to our own sinfully self-gratifying ways. This is considered the opposite of living in the Spirit—honoring God in how we live, act, and treat one another, taking account of biblical wisdom.
"Carnal Christian" sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?
I've had former friends who were supposedly raised in "Christian" families, their homes even decorated with "Christian"-themed items like crucifixes, angel ornaments, and paintings like da Vinci's The Last Supper, and rosaries hanging from the front-view mirror in their car (a number of them were particularly Catholic)... Things that would imply their awareness of their supposed beliefs. Some of them even wore cross necklaces and attended church on Easter Sunday or Christmas evening, some even saying "God bless you" and participating in communion. Yet such beliefs played no real part in their day to day lives, and everything about them still resembled the typical fleshly behavior of the world.
Many supposed believing families have a dysfunctional and tense relationship, leading their kids to follow their own desired path as if God didn't matter or didn't exist to them, even if they still claimed to believe. And those in such questionable upbringing who still believe may walk in such a way that their approach to their supposed beliefs are carnal, even appearing as harsh and self-righteous as Pharisees toward others; they care more about being correct than being kind to others.
Thing is, there's a difference between believing in God and following Him (Christ). A number of professed believers may actually treat their Christianity as merely a tradition or "family inheritance", not actually putting their faith into practice but only looking the part on the outside. Some of them may only see their faith as a set of legalistic rules to follow—quickly attacking, shaming, looking down on those who "break" those rules, and ignoring the grace and love of Christ. Many of those people don't even read the bible or know what it says at all. This lack of real heart-changing faith may explain why a number of people who claim to be Christian appear no different from the world, even engaging in spiteful behavior and bullying others with no remorse.
From the translated words of James:
"You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder." (James 2:19)
Belief in God alone does not mark one a Christian. Long ago, before I officially gave myself to Christ, I was evidence of this; even though I always believed in God's existence, I didn't have a relationship with Christ. Being raised by a family of believers doesn't make one a Christian either; I came from a dysfunctional believing family that did not practice what they supposedly preached, did things contrary to their faith, even demonstrated their contrary ways through their words and mistreatment of each other. Despite believing in God, I was lost.
When one wholeheartedly acknowledges and believes in the saving grace of God through Christ, who lovingly sacrificed Himself for our sins to rescue us from the fate we all really deserve (see John 3:16), they are saved. This truth is meant to be a life-changing revelation. Our willingness to follow the ways of Christ in our daily walk becomes evidence of our newly found faith. In a sense, we become made new.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Granted, we're not perfect; because we still have these imperfect bodies, we may still make mistakes and struggle with the flesh in some areas. We must remember that God knows the hearts of every person—who truly desires Him and who just "looks the part" but wants no actual part in a Spiritually changed life.
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Curious Questions to Consider:
What do you do when you come across a "carnal Christian"? Do you confront them? If so, how?
Do you think carnal Christians are saved by grace?
How do you handle professed believers who troll, attack, and criticize other believers (especially on social media)?
How do you handle modern-day Pharisees—professed believers who act self-righteous and attack others through their legalism?
Did you or someone you know come from a family of professed believers that didn't actually follow Christ in practice?
What do you do when you come across a "carnal Christian"? Do you confront them? If so, how?
Do you think carnal Christians are saved by grace?
How do you handle professed believers who troll, attack, and criticize other believers (especially on social media)?
How do you handle modern-day Pharisees—professed believers who act self-righteous and attack others through their legalism?
Did you or someone you know come from a family of professed believers that didn't actually follow Christ in practice?
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Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding carnality. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding carnality. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
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Author's Notes:
Credit goes to Paul Ahnert for inspiring this topic with his suggestion.
Cover image courtesy of Gratisography.
(Written on August 11, 2019.)
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When I read the title of this week's question, I did not immediately equate "carnal" Christian to those who attack others. I instead thought first of those who are sucked into the darkness of habitual sin, yet still profess a belief in Christ.
ReplyDeleteAs to confronting so-called carnal Christians, I'm always stuck by the "plank in your own eye" mentality, the reality of my own sinfulness, that would keep me from speaking out. However if it is a close friend, I would speak to them in private.
Personally, I don't know how a Christian could ever judge or attack others, since we as believers in Christ know exactly how far down the hole of sin we were, before being rescued by Christ.
Good question as always. Blessings to you.
Ah yes, sorry if the title was misleading. You are correct that a carnal Christian does continue to dwell in that darkness despite professing belief. Basically blindness to one's own sin. Attacking others is just one particular example of this.
DeleteGreat response. Thanks for reading and God bless!
No worries 😊 just the way I read it. Thank you and keep posting great questions and areas of inquiry.
DeleteI treat atheists with respect, but am always bewildered as to why they can't see the many many obvious signs of creation by a loving creator all around us. Especially the creation of His most beautiful creation - us. Atheists must have scales on their eyes, or just choose not to beieve - in which case they are leading pointless lives. But we still pray that one day they will see the light.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post and thanks for the shout out! One very important thing is to remember eveyone is at a different stage of spiritual growth so it can be difficult to tell the difference between an immature believer and a professed believer who really is not. Also key is every response must be motivated by love and a desire for the person to be right with God. Having said all that, there is a time to cut people loose, to stop throwing pearls to swine and wipe the dust from our feet. This must be done after prayer.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to trolls, ignoring or blocking, depending on the situation, is always the best policy.
Sometimes a rebuke is in order for a professed believer who acts a fool, but again, motive is key. If we are putting them in their place then it's wrong.
Great post, hopefully it will cause some to think before firing off a response.