First, what does the Bible mean by carnal minds? Simply put, it is our fleshly thoughts that conflict with our Holy Spirit. As a Christian, if one dwells on the things of this world and is always a constant thought, this person can be carnally minded. There are some Christians who are more spiritually mature than others. This does not make them immune from fleshly desires or thoughts, it just helps them better able to control it. There are Christians who struggle and battle daily trying desperately to overcome these fleshly desires that ultimately rule their lives. Their carnal minds have such a hold on them that they find it increasingly difficult to get back into following the Word of God. The Bible says that Christians such as this would rather listen to the world and their fleshly thoughts than to listen to the Holy Spirit. God's Word tells us that we must treat these individuals as babies receiving milk while gradually leading them to more solid foods(spiritual needs).
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 There are times that it may be difficult to witness to people for many reasons. Those who are young in Christ or "babes in Christ" may find it difficult to understand. Paul illustrates speaking to "babes in Christ" as feeding a baby milk and not with solid food because they wouldn't understand or "not able to bare it." The people of Corinth were not being obedient to the Holy Spirit, but rather listening to the world. Their flesh had dominated their attitudes and behavior, making it difficult to submit to the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 "The spirit searcheth all things yea, the deep things of God." Those who are not yet spiritually mature and have no desire, are not ready for such things. One who thinks with "carnal minds", cannot discern between what is or what is not of the Gospel and salvation. Verse 14 says, "the natural man" cannot understand the things of God. So the spiritual nurturing and spiritual needs are "foolishness to him."
The warfare between the flesh and the spirit receives continual emphasis in Paul's writings. Some believers in Corinth were not walking by the Spirit, their "carnal minds" were allowing the flesh to direct their behavior. Christians who lack the desire to seek out truth and knowledge in the Bible, misses out on spiritual growth. Its at times tragic that these same Christians often times come to the same conclusions as the lost, as being "foolish to him."
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 There are times that it may be difficult to witness to people for many reasons. Those who are young in Christ or "babes in Christ" may find it difficult to understand. Paul illustrates speaking to "babes in Christ" as feeding a baby milk and not with solid food because they wouldn't understand or "not able to bare it." The people of Corinth were not being obedient to the Holy Spirit, but rather listening to the world. Their flesh had dominated their attitudes and behavior, making it difficult to submit to the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 "The spirit searcheth all things yea, the deep things of God." Those who are not yet spiritually mature and have no desire, are not ready for such things. One who thinks with "carnal minds", cannot discern between what is or what is not of the Gospel and salvation. Verse 14 says, "the natural man" cannot understand the things of God. So the spiritual nurturing and spiritual needs are "foolishness to him."
The warfare between the flesh and the spirit receives continual emphasis in Paul's writings. Some believers in Corinth were not walking by the Spirit, their "carnal minds" were allowing the flesh to direct their behavior. Christians who lack the desire to seek out truth and knowledge in the Bible, misses out on spiritual growth. Its at times tragic that these same Christians often times come to the same conclusions as the lost, as being "foolish to him."
