The Cancer Of Carnality
Cancer is a dreadful disease that occurs when one cell no longer wishes to participate with the body’s own program, and goes solo. Not only does it function independently, it begins to reproduce after its own kind. One rebellious cell begets a whole host of other cells forming a lump known as a tumor.
These tumor cells rob the body of its ability to function normally. These traitors then metastasize, spreading their influences to other parts of the body. They silently and violently penetrate vital organs and sabotage their effectiveness. If left undetected, this army of rebels will bring death and destruction to the entire body.
Lets look at the church: The effect of this disease is clearly evident in the high divorce rate among Christian couples, the immorality of Christian leaders, and the lack of spiritual power and influence among Christians in general. The formal term given to this cancer among believers is "carnality."
Just as cancer is abnormal for the physical body, carnality
is abnormal in the life of the believer. If left untreated, it will bring
catastrophic results.
God, our Heavenly Father, has adopted us, given us a new life and an eternal inheritance through his only begotten Son, Jesus. Despite the new life offered to them, many of the Father’s children have become rebellious. If our life and actions have created a gulf between the Father and us, let’s take a look at some Christians and decide to which category we belong.
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The Natural Man: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; nor can be known to them because they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor.2: 14
As I watch the evening news, I see local, national and global leaders applying natural wisdom to monumental problems. Without the wisdom of God, it’s very likely their social programs will fail; their system of justice will falter, and their economic strategies will bankrupt. Utilizing this type of natural wisdom is like applying a band-aid to an open wound.
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The Spiritual Man: "But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." (I Cor. 2:15-16)
The spiritual man is a mature Christian. He or she thinks as Christ. The mature believer consistently appraises, evaluates, and examines things utilizing a Godly perspective. The only insight greater than that possessed by a spiritual man belongs to God Himself. No man can teach the Lord anything for he knoweth all things. As mature regenerated beings, we have the capacity to see all things from a divine perspective.
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The Baby Christian: "As I (brethren) could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babies in Christ."(I Cor.3: 1)
The baby Christian is new to the faith, like an infant is new to life. Paul’s message to the Corinthians declares, Unlike Baby Christians who have not matured in their knowledge of God, carnal Christians knowingly, intentionally, and willingly does things which are self-serving.
It is not the life the Lord desires for his children. We are to have the mind of Christ. In Him only, will we be fully complete, physically and spiritually alike.
Naomi Brown