To be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life. (Romans 8:6)
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil (every form of self-exaltation above the knowledge of God) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
Many times, the attention is usually focused more on the unbelievers whenever the issue of carnality is brought up. But it’s with a surprise that even the people residing in the church can be carnally minded just as Paul warned the Philippians (Philippians 3 vs 2).This is because the issue of carnality is not limited to living in one form of sin or the other. Basically, carnality simply means living a life that is directed by feelings, mental judgement, material things rather than by the spirit of God. Carnaliuuty can be manifested in every area of life. Actually, a carnal man is not spiritual in anything. He does not see any sense in the direction of the holy spirit and the word of God. A carnal man is ruled by himself based on what is happening around him. His source of information are his senses and has no place for the spirit of God. A carnal man may seek spiritual direction but he does only when tough times surface. When lovely moments that wonderful opportunities come up, he does not seek God. Examples: Abraham: Genesis 14:14-24, Daniel: Daniel 5:1-17. Take for example, a man who just got promoted in the office or was offered to go for a seminar in an oversea country. Many won’t even bother to see if this is actually in line with the will of the Lord, but will gladly accept it. Let’s not forget proverbs 14 vs 12; there is a way that seems right unto a man but the end is the way of death. THE NATURE OF A CARNAL MAN
It doesn’t matter the office he is holding in the house of God but in as much as the following are in a man, he is a carnal man.
1: He always seek that which appeals to him (proverbs 2: A carnal man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him (1Cor 2:14)
3: The mind of a carnal man is filled with vanity and the understanding darkened (Ephesians 4:17-18)
4: He is subject to intellectual reasoning thereby conflicting with the mind of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
5: A carnal man is not broken man (Titus 1:15)
In summary, it is important to daily examine one’s life and be on the look out for any tendency towards carnality in any area of life. Carnality is deadly and will limit a man.
