Carnal versus Spiritual
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8.6
This is a great verse that is used and misused quite often. The verse is true, but must be understood in truth. This topic is all about how one sees herself. Do you think you’re a “sinner saved by grace?” That phrase is not used in the bible, although used quite often in church pulpits and other “Christian” places. Or are you a “person saved by grace?” Or, are you now a saint? Now the term “saint” is used many, many times in the New Testament to describe and define the Christian. But, we are never described or defined as “sinners”.
This is how we misunderstand the meaning of “carnally minded”. So, what happens is that this verse is interpreted as, basically either a warning to the Christian or as a method to condemn others or ourselves. Inotherwords, are we Christian people thinking “carnal” thoughts – being “carnally minded”? Well, what if that is not what this verse means at all. It says “to be carnally minded is death …” Well, we’re not in death at all – we’re in life. Perhaps this verse is not about thinking “sinful thoughts” but rather thinking that you are a “sinful person”. Maybe, to be “carnally minded” means that you don’t understand who you are.
More on that in Part II
A Mark Goodson - Bill Todman Production