The Apostle Paul expressed his disappointment in the saints in Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 where he said, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

For Christians to be carnal refers to their living to please their fleshly nature.  In the above rebuke, Paul pointed out the results of their carnality…They were not able to understand the deeper things of the Lord.  They were envious of each other.  They quarreled.  They divided themselves, claiming their leaders as separating points.  (Even though Paul and Apollos were not divided.)  Carnality shows itself in many ways and is a great deterrent to Christian faithfulness and behavior.

Paul warns us in Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” The ‘cure’ to this carnality is found in Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  Believers are instructed to walk, or live, according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Doing that gives us the ability to resist and deny the appeals of the flesh.  We can overcome the carnal desires when we follow God’s Word and delight in Him.  In fact, when we live our lives according to the Lord’s will, the things of this world lose their grip on us.  Our desire will be to live for the Lord, and we will lose interest in the attractions of the world and the flesh.  I’m reminded of that old hymn that says:

• Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

What can you do to help your fellow Christians and their bad behaviors? 

• PRAY – Pray for these dear believers who are not walking according to God’s Word.  Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers was that they might be, “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” (Colossians 1:11).
• MINISTER – Minister God’s Word as we are instructed in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”  If it is necessary to speak to someone to correct them in their behavior, make sure you speak with grace with a true concern for their spiritual well-being.
• EXAMPLE – Be an example for others so they might follow your behavior.  Paul exhorts us to, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).  The Lord exhorts us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  We read in Titus 2:7-8, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” 

I do caution you not to be overwhelmed by the bad behavior of others.  It can be discouraging to concentrate on others, when our focus should be on Christ, Himself.  However, to look out for the spiritual well-being of others is commendable.  May the Lord encourage you as you seek to benefit your fellow believers.  (CC)  (739.4)