Warning for Carnal Believers
8-minute read
Introduction
When the Bible speaks about sensuality, it is describing a life that is devoted to gratifying the flesh. It is a life that is driven by bodily appetites, impulses, and desires, often without restraint or self-control. Now, let me be clear—there are things in life that we naturally enjoy, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, when those things begin to dominate us, when they take precedence over our walk with God, when they silence the inner man, then we are stepping into dangerous territory. This is where carnality begins to take root, and this is where many believers struggle without even recognizing it.
Through the gospel of the water and the Spirit, by believing in Jesus’ baptism, death, and resurrection, we have already been set free from sin. Our sinful nature has been judged and condemned in His body. Because of this, we are heaven-bound, not because of our efforts, but because of our faith in what He has done. Yet, even with this truth, the flesh still remains present, and the pull of sensuality is still real. That is why the Word of God calls us not just to believe, but to walk in the Spirit. There is no other way to overcome the flesh. In today’s message, we will look at two important areas that Scripture reveals: first, the signs of carnality in a believer’s life, and second, the causes of it.
The Signs: Rule by the Flesh
When Paul addressed the Corinthian believers, he made it clear that though they were in Christ, they were still living as people ruled by the flesh. This is what it means to be carnal—being dominated by human nature instead of the Spirit. Their lives were still governed by impulses, appetites, and desires that belonged to the old nature. Instead of dying to the old life by faith and walking in the newness of life given through the gospel of the water and the Spirit, they continued to indulge in fleshly ways just as they had before. Their thinking, speech, and conduct reflected the same patterns of the world.
This was evident in the jealousy, strife, and discord among them. These are not minor issues but clear indicators that the flesh is still in control. A person walking in the Spirit would not be consumed with envy or comparison, because everything they have is from God. But when one is ruled by the flesh, they begin to measure themselves against others, becoming discontent and driven by worldly thinking. This reflects a failure to live by faith in what God has already provided. God’s Word is absolute: only by walking in the Spirit can we avoid fulfilling the lust of the flesh. When a believer neglects this, the natural outcome is a life that continues to display carnality.
The Signs: Abnormally Immature
Another sign Paul highlights is abnormal spiritual immaturity. He describes the Corinthian believers as infants who were still dependent on milk, unable to receive solid food. This is not a normal condition for someone who has been in the faith for a period of time. This immaturity means that they lacked the capacity to receive deeper truths and could not move forward in their walk with God. They remained dependent, unable to stand on their own or engage in spiritual matters. Like a child who does not develop beyond infancy, they required constant attention and could not take responsibility. Paul’s concern reflects the heart of someone who had labored to bring them to the knowledge of the gospel of the water and the Spirit, expecting that they would mature and grow into it.
When a believer does not grow, it creates serious consequences. They become vulnerable, easily shaken, and unable to handle the challenges of life. Just as in the natural world, where growth is the evidence of life, in the spiritual realm, growth confirms that life is present. A lack of growth raises a serious concern about one’s condition. It is not God’s will for believers to remain as infants. The expectation is maturity, where one can receive solid teaching, understand spiritual truths, and live accordingly. The Corinthian church, however, had failed to move forward, and this immaturity became a defining mark of their carnality.
The Signs: Humanly Self-Centred
The third sign Paul identifies is a life that is humanly self-centred. He describes the Corinthians as walking like “mere men,” meaning they were living no differently from those who were not born again. Instead of reflecting the new life they had received, they were operating within the same mindset as the world—focused on themselves, their desires, and their own advancement. This self-centredness is evident in the way people think and act when they are driven by humanism. It is a mindset that elevates man, glorifies human ability, and places confidence in personal strength, appearance, or achievements. Conversations become centred around outward things—how one looks, what one possesses, and how one is perceived. This reflects a lack of spiritual understanding, because it ignores the reality that apart from Christ, there is nothing good in man.
The scripture reveals that all goodness and value come only through Christ. It is in Him that we have worth, and it is through Him that we are able to live rightly. When a believer continues to live in self-centredness, it shows that they are not walking in this truth. We ought to recognise that even after being born again, sinful thoughts and impulses still arise within us, revealing the true condition of the flesh. This recognition should lead one to depend more on Christ, not on self. A mature believer understands this and chooses to glorify God rather than self. But a carnal believer remains focused on self, reflecting a life that is still dominated by the old way of thinking.
The Causes: Spiritual Stagnation
One of the causes of carnality is spiritual stagnation. Scripture teaches that believers are to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as in the natural world, life is proven by growth, the same applies spiritually. When there is no growth, it indicates that something is wrong. In the same way, a person who is born again through the gospel of the water and the Spirit should be growing—understanding more, desiring God more, and responding to His Word. When there is no growth, it reflects a lack of spiritual life in practice. There is no hunger, no thirst, and no progress in the things of God.
This condition is serious because it resembles death. A dead person does not grow, hunger, or respond. In the same way, when a believer remains stagnant, there is no movement in their spiritual life. They may still appear to have a form of godliness, but there is no power, no transformation, and no evidence of life. Without growth, the person becomes weak and open to carnality. Just as stagnant water produces decay, a stagnant spiritual life leads to corruption. This is why growth is essential. A believer should be able to see progress over time. Without it, stagnation becomes a key reason for living in the flesh.
The Causes: Spiritual Deadness
Another cause of carnality is spiritual deadness. Jesus made it clear that unless a person is born again, they cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. This new birth must be through the water and the Spirit. Being born of the water refers to the washing of regeneration through Jesus’ baptism, and being born of the Spirit refers to receiving the Holy Spirit who renews the inner man. Without these, a person may appear religious, but there is no true life within. Outward actions alone do not determine whether a person belongs to God.
Spiritual deadness is seen when there is no hunger for God, no growth, and no transformation. A person may even do works in the name of the Lord, yet still not be known by Him. Scripture shows that many will say they have prophesied and done works, but will be turned away because they were never truly known. This is why there is a call to examine oneself—to test whether Christ is truly within. When Christ is in a person, there will be life, growth, and change. Without this, carnality will remain, because there is no life to overcome the flesh.
Conclusion
Church, this is a serious matter. If we continue to be ruled by the flesh, remain immature, and live like mere men, something is wrong. The Word calls us to examine ourselves—whether we are truly in the faith. When Jesus Christ is in us, there will be life, growth, and transformation. Without it, there is only a form of godliness without power. Salvation has already been given through the gospel of the water and the Spirit. Now, we are called to walk in it. Do not be deceived—test yourself, and remain in the life that Christ has given.
8-minute read
Come be part of our physical church services — we’d love to have you!