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“…I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ!”
— 1 Corinthians 3:1 (AMP)

Paul’s words are not directed at unbelievers, but to the church — those who are “in Christ.” Yet he identifies them as “carnal” or “worldly.”

The Meaning of Carnal #

The English word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word:

Sarkikos (σαρκικός) — meaning:
“Fleshly, governed by mere human nature, unspiritual.”

These believers are not outside the body of Christ. They are in Christ, yet they still live and think as those outside Him. They are born from above — but still operate from below. They have received the life of Christ, but not yet learned to live from Christ.

Carnality Is Not Unbelief — It’s Immaturity #

This is critical: Carnal Christians are not unregenerate. They are not pagans. They are not false converts. They are believers — yet immature.

Paul calls them:

“Mere infants [in the new life] in Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:1 (AMP)

They have begun in the Spirit — but remain in the nursery. Their actions and responses are still ruled by the old man — the fallen, Adamic nature.

Signs of Carnality #

Just like in Corinth, today’s Church has believers who are saved but still walk in fleshly patterns. These include:

These issues stem from living as spiritual infants, feeding only on “milk” and refusing the “solid food” of Christ’s life. They are saved — but still soulish, living from their own thoughts, emotions, and will, rather than from the indwelling Christ.

How Can They Be Gifted Yet Carnal? #

This is one of the paradoxes of grace:

“You are not lacking in any spiritual gift…”
— 1 Corinthians 1:7 (AMP)

Yet only a few chapters later, Paul says they are carnal. Spiritual gifts do not prove spiritual maturity. God gives gifts by grace, not by growth. Carnal Christians may:

• Speak in tongues
• Prophesy
• Heal the sick
• Teach or preach, and yet still be selfish, impatient, proud, or envious.

The Corinthian church was rich in gifts, but poor in character.

Saved But Not Matured? #

Yes. A person can be justified (declared righteous by faith) and yet not be sanctified (formed into Christ’s image). They are in the kingdom, but not ruling with the King.

“But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit… then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature…”
— Galatians 5:16 AMP

Paul never tells the Corinthians they aren’t saved — he rebukes them because they’re not growing. This carnal state is not a loss of salvation — but a loss of spiritual inheritance, maturity, and fruitfulness. It dishonours Christ in us.

What Is the Root of Carnality? #

Carnality is the result of not walking by the Spirit.

“Walk [habitually] in the Spirit… and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16 (AMP)

The flesh (Greek: sarx) refers to the old self-life — the way of Adam. It survives even after we are born again and must be put off daily. When a believer is not led by the Holy Spirit, they tend to rely on emotions, reasoning, and personal desires.

How Do Carnal Christians Grow? #

Spiritual growth is not automatic. Time alone doesn’t mature a believer — yielding does. Here’s how growth begins:

1. Abide in Christ #

“Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself…”
— John 15:4 (AMP)

Growth begins when we stop striving and start abiding. We were not saved by effort; neither are we matured by effort. It is His life within that produces the fruit.

2. Feed on the Word — Spiritually #

“I gave you milk, not solid food…”
— 1 Corinthians 3:2 (AMP)

Carnal Christians are content with sermons and motivation. But the mature seek Christ in the Word — not facts, but fellowship.

3. Walk by the Spirit #

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
— Galatians 5:25 (AMP)

This means living in sensitive obedience to the Holy Spirit. It means saying no to the flesh, and yes to the inner witness of Christ.

4. Accept Correction and Training #

“He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.”
— Hebrews 12:10 (AMP)

Maturity comes through yielding to the Father’s correction. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so it may bear more.

5. Return to the Cross — Not Just for Forgiveness, But for Death #

“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20 AMP

Carnality continues when the old man is pampered. Growth begins when he is reckoned dead.

6. Eat Solid Food: The Full Revelation of Christ #

“But solid food is for the spiritually mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.”
— Hebrews 5:14 AMP

Many remain carnal because they feed on motivational talks, not Christ as the Bread of Life. They must be taught the mystery of Christ in you, not just basic doctrine.

7. Be Led by the Spirit — Not by Emotions #

“For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
— Romans 8:14 AMP

The Greek word for “sons” here is huios — mature sons. Carnal believers must submit to the Spirit to mature into true sonship.

Milk vs Solid Food #

God’s Vision: Christ Formed in You #

Paul travailed in prayer not just that believers be saved, but that Christ be formed in them.

“My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you…”
— Galatians 4:19 (AMP)

This is God’s will — not just Christ on the cross, but Christ in you, expressed through you.

Carnality Is Not Permanent — Unless We Let It Be #

The danger of carnality is that it can harden into compromise.

• Immaturity is a phase
• But rebellion is a choice

“They always go astray in their heart, and they did not know My ways.”
— Hebrews 3:10 (AMP)

God patiently calls every carnal believer into maturity.
But if we resist His Spirit, we may remain babes — never growing up.

The Goal: Perfection in Christ #

“…we proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, perfect in Him].”
— Colossians 1:28 AMP

The Greek word for “complete/perfect” is teleios — meaning mature, fully developed, whole. God’s goal is not just to get us into heaven — but to get Christ fully formed in us.

This is the journey from carnality to glory:

• From being born of the Spirit…
• To be led by the Spirit…
• To become the image of the Son.

Baptised, Yet Not Broken? #

Israel passed through the Red Sea (symbol of baptism) but still wandered in unbelief and murmuring. They were redeemed but rebellious, saved but still carnal. Likewise, a carnal Christian has left Egypt, but Egypt hasn’t left them. Only death to self and union with Christ will bring the maturity needed to enter the Promised Land.

Christ the Measure of Maturity #

Spiritual maturity is not measured by:

• Years in the church
• Knowledge of doctrine
• Ministry gifts or titles

It is measured by how much of Christ is expressed in you.

“Until we all reach oneness in the faith… to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:13 (AMP)

The goal is not to act Christian — but to manifest Christ.

What Will Bring Maturity? #

1. Revelation of Christ — See Him, not just self-improvement
2. Submission to the Spirit — Obey even when it cuts
3. Discipline — Endure the dealings of God as a son
4. Body Life — Be planted in Christ’s Body for correction and edification
5. Feed on True Doctrine — Teachings that expose flesh and reveal Christ

Carnal vs Spiritual Christian #

In Christ,
Godwin.