Question: What did Paul mean by calling some people carnal? Are carnal people saved?

- Judy Beach,

Richmond, VA

Answer: Strong's Greek dictionary defines carnal as "pertaining to the flesh." The noun carnivore or adjective carnivorous pertains to a flesh-eater. In Scripture carnal may mean fleshly, bodily, worldly, or temporal. It can refer to an unregenerate person or a Christian who is more worldly than spiritual. At times it may mean to be human. When God robed himself in flesh and was born that first Christmas, we call that his incarnation, i.e., his becoming a man.

The first time Paul used the word "carnal" was in Romans 7:14. There he used it to refer to himself as being "sold under sin." He meant that at times he was a slave to his old sinful habits. In the next verses Paul described the battle every child of God faces: that of the flesh warring against the spirit. Just because someone is saved doesn't mean that he or she is never tempted to sin.

However, in Romans 8 Paul warned, "They that follow the flesh will do the things of the flesh; but they that follow the Spirit will do the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded brings death; but to be spiritually minded brings life and peace. The carnal mind is an enemy against God. ... So, then, they that live for the flesh cannot please God."

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul said the Corinthian Christians were carnal. He felt he had to treat them like babies rather than mature believers. They needed Paul to hand-feed them the teachings of Scripture rather than their learning and teaching others the deep doctrines of the faith. Their in-fighting, envying, strife, and divisions proved them to be carnal. When God's Spirit is in control, there is peace and harmony among believers.

To answer your question: People are carnal when they yield to their fleshly urges. And, yes, a carnal Christian is saved, but he or she is following their fleshly nature more than the Holy Spirit. All of us are carnal at times when we fail to yield to the Lordship of Christ. We can recognize our carnality when we no longer have the joy of our salvation or feel the urgency to share Christ with others. I like to say an unsaved person has self on his heart-throne and Jesus on the outside. A carnal Christian has Jesus inside his heart, but self is still on the throne. A spiritual Christian has Jesus on the throne of his heart and self on the outside. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus called each believer to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.

- Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God's Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. He writes a weekly column on religion for the Progress-Index. You may send your Bible questions to him in care of this newspaper or via his website at www.tomlovorn.us

https://www.progress-index.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2009/12/19/are-carnal-people-saved/36436817007/#:~:text=And%2C%20yes%2C%20a%20carnal%20Christian,more%20than%20the%20Holy%20Spirit.