Ro 8: 1-26 Spiritual Vs Carnal”
Paul is describing the two categories of The Christian that exist within the church:
#1 The Carnal Minded– Flesh (natural man) = Baby
#2 The Spiritual Minded =Spiritual = Mature
Minded : Thoughts, purposes, view points, opinions, perspectives,
1 Co 2:13-15 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; (comparing spiritual things with spiritual).
14 But (the natural man)=carnal) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is (spiritual)=spiritually minded) judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Characteristics of the Spiritual Life:
1 no condemnation
2 free from the law of sin and death
4 the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in them
5 mind the things of the Spirit
6 To be spiritually minded is life and peace.
13 through the Spirit they do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Spiritual man knows how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The Spiritual Man is one who has matured in his walk with God
The Spiritual Man Lives:
Lives to serve
Lives by the Word of God
Lives by faith
Lives by Knowledge
Lives to please God
Lives the crucified life, crucifies all desires and activities that oppress or offend the Christ Nature.
The characteristics of the carnal minded believer
Subject to condemnation, Ro 8:1
Cannot fulfill the righteousness of the law
Experience spiritual death Ro 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death
They cannot please God Ro 8:6 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
They have no Spiritual quickening,
They are slaves to their fleshly lusts Ro 8:12-13
They do not experience the joy of being led by God
They lack the witness or the constant assurance of their identity
They feel alienated or estranged from God
The Carnal Man lives
Lives to be served
Lives by feelings
Lives by what he sees in the world
Lives by what makes sense or what is reasonable
Lives to please self, avoids the cross
The carnal Mind is called an enemy of God because it will not become subject to the law of God = (The law of faith also called the law of the spirit and life).
It is=(the carnal mind) called the flesh, (To be in the flesh is to live governed by the carnal mind).
1 Co 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Growing up in God means learning to live by the word of God
All of the word, not just the comfortable and enjoyable word, but the heart searching, self crucifying word.
We may disagree about what I preach or teach but if what I preach and teach is the word of God then your disagreement is simply a way of saying (I’m carnal and satisfied).
The Spiritual Man would say, well that’s kind’a of tough but I see it in the word and with the Spirits help I will change my life to fit the word.
Spiritual or Carnal
It’s up to you, and it’s up to me.
It’s the difference between growing up in Christ and becoming spiritually mature or remaining a spiritual babey all your life.
"Lets grow up"
