A carnal Christian is a person who’s had a genuine encounter with Christ and been born again, but who hasn’t yielded to the Holy Sprit’s maturing influence after that initial experience to become a spiritual Christian. Evidences that a Christian is carnal may include:
- Smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.
- Using profane language.
- Sexual immorality, including pornography and fornication.
- Backbiting, or putting people down behind their backs.
- Lying, being selfish, or trying to injure others.
- Shopping and spending money obsessively.
- Out of control eating.
- Compulsive gambling.
Christians who cling to carnal behaviors are often those who accepted Christ while living successful or pleasant lives before meeting the Lord. Peer pressure by those who feel threatened by your faith can also make it harder to grow up in God, especially in the early days and months before some of the basic Christian concepts take root.
Time will tell whether or not your Christian experience is genuine. We know that faith without works is dead, so don’t become complacent in your carnality! Still, as with little children, people mature at different rates. Also, some behaviors are harder to leave behind than others! In my case for example, trips to the bar with my drinking buddies ended almost immediately when I told them about my experience with God and the Bible. Smoking was a different story! Today I still have painful memories of sharing my excitement for Christ back then, while lighting another cigarette.
If you’re a Christian struggling with your old nature, then don’t be discouraged: God is on your side. Use your frustration to draw closer to him in faith, asking for help and wisdom every day until the old behaviors loose their grip on you. Expect upsets with your old friends, but ask God for the words to use! You never know how many of them are ripe to hear the gospel in their own lives.