Bible Study: Carnality
Introduction:
Carnality, often translated as "fleshly-mindedness" or "living according to the flesh," refers to the inclination towards worldly desires and the gratification of the physical nature rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. This study will explore the biblical understanding of carnality, its manifestations, and the nature of the carnal mind.
CARNALITY:
These verses illustrate various expressions and consequences of carnality.
• Exodus 16:3: "And the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’" In the wilderness, the Israelites longed for the physical comforts of Egypt, demonstrating a focus on their fleshly desires over trust in God's provision.
◦ Discussion: How can we, like the Israelites, sometimes prioritize physical comfort and security over spiritual realities and God's leading?
• Numbers 11:4: "Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat!’" The "strong craving" for meat, even after God had provided manna, reveals the power of carnal desires.
◦ Discussion: What are some "cravings" that can distract us from spiritual nourishment and our dependence on God?
• Psalm 78:18: "They tested God in their heart by demanding food for their craving." The Israelites' demanding attitude towards God stemmed from their carnal desires and a lack of contentment with His provision.
◦ Discussion: How can our unmet desires lead to testing God or questioning His goodness?
• John 6:26: "Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’" Many followed Jesus for physical satisfaction rather than recognizing the spiritual significance of His miracles.
◦ Discussion: What motivates people to seek Jesus today? How can we ensure our own pursuit is for spiritual growth rather than merely physical or material gain?
• Romans 7:23: "but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members." Paul describes the internal conflict between his desire to obey God and the pull of his sinful flesh.
◦ Discussion: How do you experience this "war" within yourself? What are some specific ways your "members" (your physical body and its desires) wage war against your desire to follow God?
• Romans 8:5: "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." This verse contrasts the focus of the carnal mind with that of the spiritual mind.
◦ Discussion: What are some "things of the flesh" that the carnal mind focuses on? What are the "things of the Spirit"? How can we cultivate a mind that is set on the Spirit?
• Galatians 5:13: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Paul warns against using Christian freedom as a license to indulge in carnal desires, emphasizing service in love instead.
◦ Discussion: How can our understanding of freedom in Christ be twisted into an "opportunity for the flesh"? How does love counteract this tendency?
• 1 John 2:16: "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." John identifies key aspects of worldliness that appeal to our carnal nature.
◦ Discussion: Can you identify examples of "the desires of the flesh," "the desires of the eyes," and "the pride of life" in contemporary culture? How do these things compete with our devotion to God?
General references to man's carnal nature:
These verses provide a broader understanding of the inherent tendency towards carnality in human beings.
• Romans 7:18: "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out." Paul acknowledges the inherent weakness and inclination towards sin within his "flesh" (his unredeemed human nature).
• Romans 7:25: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." Paul concludes his struggle by recognizing the ongoing tension between his spiritual desire and his carnal tendencies.
• Romans 8:8: "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Living according to our carnal nature makes it impossible to truly please God.
• Romans 8:13: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." This highlights the life-and-death consequences of yielding to or resisting our carnal desires.
• Galatians 5:17: "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." The inherent opposition between the flesh and the Spirit creates an ongoing internal battle for believers.
• Galatians 6:8: "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Our choices to gratify the flesh or to follow the Spirit have eternal consequences.
• 1 John 2:16: (Repeated) Again emphasizes that the allure of the world stems from our carnal desires and is opposed to the Father.
CARNAL MIND, general references:
These verses specifically address the nature and characteristics of the mind that is dominated by carnality.
• Romans 1:28: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." Rejecting God leads to a "debased mind" that is prone to all sorts of wickedness, reflecting a mind controlled by carnal desires.
• Romans 8:7: "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." The carnal mind is inherently opposed to God and incapable of submitting to His will.
• Ephesians 4:17: "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds." Paul urges believers to reject the "futility" (emptiness and aimlessness) of the Gentile mind, which is characterized by carnality and ignorance of God.
• Colossians 1:21: "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds..." Our former state before Christ was marked by a mind that was alienated from God and actively hostile towards Him, evidenced by our sinful actions.
• Colossians 2:18: "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind..." A "sensuous mind" (another translation of carnal mind in this context) is prone to pride, false spirituality, and being easily deceived.
• Titus 1:15: "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled." For those whose minds are corrupted by carnality and unbelief, their perception of everything is tainted.
- Preaching on The Mighty Arm of God
- Preaching on Human Evil - Cruelty, Malice, and Oppression
- Preaching on Care - Why Should We Take Care of Ourselves?
Conclusion:
Carnality represents a mindset and lifestyle dominated by the desires of our fallen human nature, in opposition to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It manifests in cravings for physical gratification, a focus on worldly things, and an inherent hostility towards God. The carnal mind is debased, futile, alienated from God, and prone to deception. As believers, we are called to resist the pull of carnality, to put to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit (Romans 8:13), and to set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5), allowing God's presence to transform our desires and guide . What specific area of your life are you aware of the influence of carnality, and what steps can you take today to cultivate a more Spirit-led mindset?
