Why God ‘commands’ His people to become spiritual – sermon audio

In 1 Corinthians 3 the apostle Paul rebuked the Christians for being “carnal” and not “spiritual.” This plus other New Testament passages indicate that becoming a spiritual Christian is thus required by God.

We put the word commands in quote marks however because there is no actual command, but becoming spiritual is an effective injunction that God expects His people to know and follow through on. Jesus gave His life for His people to know the fullness of it.

The lesson here sheds great insight on why Christians are divided, and what the cause for this is, as well as what the solution is: The solution is to be spiritual, not carnal.

The New Testament Christians knew this reality.

They knew what it was to have the Spirit of Christ bring their natural faculties – mind, will, emotions – under the control of God.

Most of this audio lesson recording is self explanatory but to make extra clear, the term “mind” is discussed. Although the sermon says so, we want you to be sure this is not a call to be anti-intellectual, but a reference to the “carnal mind.” The carnal mind is against God, says Romans 8:7.

Romans 8 – 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The “carnal Christian” therefore is one who uses his/her natural mind without consulting or being brought under control of the Spirit of God. Such people may willfully or inadvertently quench the Spirit.

Please understand this therefore when the discussion decries people using their “brain” or “mind” or “earthly mind.”

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Ephesians 4 – 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, – Colossians 2:18

For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

The mind is God given, and it is to be used of course. What the lesson emphasizes is God expects the mind to be renewed, transformed, and yielded to the working of the Spirit of truth. There is a fleshly or carnal mind which is the natural independent mind all humans have, and there is the mind of Christ in which a Christian is a vessel of Christ in them, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).

It is such people who are able to bear fruit and whose fruit will remain, says the New Testament.

Lord bless you.