The Grave Danger of Carnal Christianity—and the Radical Cure

In these final days, as darkness deepens across the earth and deception increases, one of the greatest dangers facing the Church is not found in the world—but within our own hearts. Carnal Christianity is not merely a label—it’s a crisis we all have to face. It describes those who confess Jesus with their lips but deny Him by their lifestyle, living not by the Spirit but by the flesh.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these." 2 Timothy 3:1–5

It is possible to be saved and yet live powerlessly, distracted, and disconnected from the life of Christ. The sobering reality is that many in the Church today are asleep, unaware that they are entangled in carnality, drifting farther from intimacy with Jesus.

“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:16

But here is the question that truly matters: If we are carnal, how will we know—and how do we overcome?

"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:6–8

The Good News—the very best news—is this: Jesus Christ has already done everything. The Cross is complete. The Blood is sufficient. Grace is available. Freedom is near. The only thing left is our response. Repentance is not a shame-filled performance—it is a Spirit-empowered turning, a lifting of our eyes to behold the beauty of King Jesus. When we see Him, really see Him, we are transformed.

"For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14

How do we awaken? How do we escape the trap of the flesh? The answer is as shocking as it is simple: Radical Generosity. Yes—radical, Spirit-led, joy-drenched generosity. This is not about money alone—it is the full surrender of the heart, the offering of our lives to the One who gave everything for us. Just as the poor widow placed her last two coins into the temple treasury, Jesus invites us to give Him everything, trusting in His absolute goodness.

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5

Carnality cannot survive in a heart that is radically generous to God. Because radical generosity is a fruit of radical love—and perfect love casts out all fear.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19–21

The Spirit of Truth is calling. Grace is flowing like a river. The time is short. The Bridegroom is at the door. Will you repent? Will you behold Jesus? Will you give Him everything? The hour is late. The Church must awaken. The King is coming. Will you be ready?

The World is a Big Carnal Mess, Don’t You Think?

How did we ever come to where we are today? Look around; do you see the absolute chaos and darkness invading the earth? Like the Pharisees from 2,000 years ago, are we rejecting the real Christ and instead have we made our own version of Christ, an alternative version?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.” Matthew 16:24-27

Let’s get real. Sitting in the pews all these years, Sunday after Sunday, do you see powerful disciples? Is your church creating disciples, or, after all these years, are you and the people you attend with the same? BE BRUTALLY HONEST! Is your church making disciples who make disciples? If not, why? If not, when?

Here is the real test… after all the teachings and sermons you have received over the decades sitting in the same old spot, DO YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMIES MORE TODAY? If you don’t, someone needs to wake you up because you are still unregenerate, living from your flesh—emotions, knowledge, reason, and intellect—you are not living from the Mind of Christ or the Heart of God, which is given freely to the Humble—those who are poor in spirit. No, instead you trust your own judgment between what is good and what is evil. Sound familiar?

"For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want... Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" Romans 7:18–24

To be “Carnal” is to be flesh-minded, emotional, using reason and intellect, or human wisdom to navigate your life. To be carnal is to focus on yourself, being self-ambitious, self-promoting, self-protecting, self-confident, self-assured, and self-directed. To be IN CHRIST is to be the opposite, the complete opposite–humbling yourself, denying self, picking up your cross, and following Jesus by Grace alone. Carnal Christians cannot worship God, they cannot serve God, and they will not find God in their carnal state.

"Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." John 19:30

We are all CARNAL CHRISTIANS to some degree, especially when we are first BORN AGAIN. According to Romans chapter seven, we will all battle the flesh until Jesus comes to get His Bride, and we receive Glorified Bodies. So, even though we can speak frankly about Carnal Christians, we are speaking from our own experience. Yes, we are all Carnal, but we don’t have to stay that way; that’s the entire point of the Gospel.

"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14

Here is what I learned about being a former Carnal Christian. Carnal Christians live from their emotions and human reasoning, and their intellect. Carnal Christians are saved, but they do not enjoy the renewed mind and have rejected the Mind of Christ, and they have decided to keep their own.

"But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

Carnal Christians love the Lord, but they love their comfort even more. Come on, we can all admit it. Does Jesus know of our carnality? Why do you think He took on ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD? BECAUSE HE KNOWS. He came so that we no longer needed to be carnal.

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

Carnal Christians protect their rights and demand respect, and if you don’t give it, you will receive their haughty spirit, and they will reject you. Carnal Christians are stingy and would not know the GENEROSITY of God if it landed on them like a 10-story building.

Carnal Christians are easy to spot; they look great on the outside until someone hurts their feelings or challenges their disingenuousness. If you expose them as Carnal Christians, they will immediately drop into the game of attack, withdrawal, and then isolation. If you challenge a Carnal Christian with the truth, they will recoil, attack you, immediately judge you as a heretic, and then withdraw from you in their superior mind—just like a Pharisee. Wouldn’t you rather be the Widow and give her lepta coins?

"And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, put in all that she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41–44

Carnal Christians are mostly self-protecting and self-promoting, absorbed in their worldly ambitions. They talk a good game yet operate from their senses, emotions, and internal code of morality, determining what is right and wrong for themselves. They operate from human wisdom, personal integrity and strength, and rugged individualism. That describes a Pharisee perfectly.

"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1

Can you imagine Jesus complaining about being disrespected? Can you imagine Him complaining as He went to the Cross?

Jesus’ enemies put Him on the cross, and instead of complaining and judging them, He came to earth to DIE for them so we all can live free. We have been set free from mere human wisdom and reasoning and have been invited to live from the Spirit of God instead. Only through the Spirit of God can we give up the fleshly trinkets of respect and honor and humble ourselves, deny ourselves, and pick up our cross to love our enemies.

"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions." Luke 14:33

Carnal Christians are “Brained Trained.” This means their flesh brains are trained by clever human concoctions which are just a witch’s brew of personality, psychology, philosophy, and theology, while their spiritual formation wanes and eventually dies an ugly, selfish death.

Carnal Christians are not denying themselves, they have no idea what a cross is, and they are seeking God only to be blessed more. Clueless about Spiritual things because they are puffed up in the flesh, denying the true power of Christ in their lives and ministries.

"Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

All flesh is dead. The Bible declares that those in the flesh are dead and cannot please God. The mind of the flesh cannot please God and will oppose the Spirit of God without effort. Dead while living is not good.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." 1 John 4:18

For those IN CHRIST, they are not their own, they were bought for a price and now they are slaves of righteousness, ambassadors for Christ, and citizens of Heaven—all as a free gift of Grace to those who will believe, deny themselves, and pick up their cross and follow Jesus as a SPIRIT MAN.

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13

God is not in theology, psychology, or human wisdom. Jesus came to earth to overcome theology, psychology, and human wisdom. The Bible is very clear: God is SPIRIT, and He is seeking those who believe and will worship Him in the SPIRIT. One must lay down their lives and be BORN AGAIN by the Spirit of God. ONE MUST BECOME A SPIRIT MAN.

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost." Revelation 22:17

For those who have been hurt, betrayed, or rejected by a Carnal Christian pastor, GET OVER IT! See it for what it is: a perfect way to love your neighbor. What a great opportunity to see Jesus bear fruit through you! Like always, what satan meant for harm, Jesus turns to GOOD. To authentically lay down your life to love a wayward, Carnal pastor who self-protects and self-promotes is to RECEIVE A DOUBLE BLESSING. Make no mistake, we can’t afford to not love our neighbors and our enemies, especially those who stand behind the pulpit in judgment and self-promotion. Instead of complaining about them, pray for them and love them regardless.

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

The Widow’s Offering: A Spirit-Led Life Poured Out

“And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans. And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41–44

She had nothing left—and she gave it all.

No applause. No recognition. No fanfare. Just a worn and weathered woman, likely overlooked by most, maybe even invisible to the crowds. But not to Jesus. He saw her. He always sees the ones who worship in Spirit and in Truth.

While the wealthy gave what they could spare, the widow gave what she could not afford to lose—her very life. She gave not out of her abundance, but out of her being. She didn’t offer God what was left over. She gave Him everything she had. That kind of offering doesn’t come from the flesh—it’s born of the Spirit. It is the act of a Spirit Woman, a true daughter of God, overflowing with eternal love and eternal faith.

And Jesus? He was moved. So moved, in fact, that He called His disciples to Himself to point her out as the example. He immortalized her sacrifice in the Word of God. She didn’t even realize that she was sowing herself into Scripture. But Jesus did.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2

Jesus knew what it meant to give all—because He, too, gave His entire life. The widow, whether she knew it or not, was walking in the very same Spirit that was in Him. She reflected His heart. She foreshadowed the Cross. And that’s why He celebrated her above the wealthy, above the religious, above those with status or influence.

Her two copper coins may have seemed worthless to man—but to Jesus, they were a sacrifice of worship more valuable than all the riches of Jerusalem.

A Spirit-Wrought Sacrifice

She did not count her life as dear to herself. She laid it down in an act of radical, Spirit-empowered trust. And Jesus marked it forever. In a world of self-protection, she stood as a monument of self-sacrifice. While the crowd gave out of convenience, she gave out of conviction. While others gave to be seen, she gave because she saw God.

• She is proof that worship is not about quantity—it’s about totality.
• She is proof that heaven measures differently than earth.
• She is proof that Grace empowers radical obedience even in the most dire circumstances.
• She is proof that the Spirit Man (or Woman) gives all—even their very breath—because Jesus is worthy.

The Widow in the Age to Come

You said it so beautifully: “I can hardly wait to meet her in the age of Eternity with God.”

Yes. That moment will come. You will look her in the eye, and with tears of joy and holy awe, you will embrace a woman who fully trusted God with everything—and in doing so, became a legacy of true worship.

She is not forgotten. She is waiting in glory. And she stands as a reminder to the Bride of Christ today:

You cannot walk by the Spirit and hold back your life.
You cannot live for eternity while clinging to temporary comfort.
You cannot follow Jesus without first dying to self.

Her example confronts Carnal Christianity. She rebukes lukewarm love and shallow giving. She reminds us that our King is watching—not what we give, but how we give. Not the portion, but the proportion. Not the show, but the surrender. We are not called to give from our surplus. We are called to give from our life. To lay down our opinions, our rights, our reputations, and our comfort. To love our enemies.

To become the Spirit Man or Woman—alive in Christ, dead to self, overflowing with Heaven’s generosity. So, like the widow, give everything. Hold nothing back. Let Grace empower your sacrifice. And know this—Jesus is watching.

“Truly I say to you… she gave more.” Jesus

Now That You Know… Don’t Be a Carnal Christian

The Perfect Carnal Christian: A Portrait in the Flesh

He is 35 years old—young, energetic, and polished. A rising star in the world of Christian media. He pastors a growing megachurch and hosts a popular podcast, where his voice booms with confidence, charisma, and culture-savvy wit. He wears tight designer jeans, sneakers worth more than a widow’s monthly income, and carries an iPad as his Bible. His stage is lit with LED walls and smoke machines, and every service feels like a concert. People flock to his brand.

And that’s what it is: a brand.

He speaks often about “purpose” and “destiny,” but rarely about repentance or the Cross. His sermons are inspirational, but not transformational. Biblical words are used, but they are hollowed out, disconnected from the whole counsel of God. Grace is mentioned, but it is cheap. Truth is mentioned, but it is soft. Jesus is mentioned, but not enthroned.

He’s a Carnal Christian—but worse, he’s leading others in the same way.

Though he claims to follow Christ, he is driven by ambition, not brokenness. He has not denied himself. He promotes his own vision, builds his own kingdom, and cleverly attaches Jesus’ name to it. His measure of success is the size of his following, the reach of his content, the excellence of his production. He resents criticism. He demands loyalty. He quietly manipulates to maintain control.

He prays publicly, but rarely in secret. He talks about the Holy Spirit, but is led by strategy and analytics. He preaches about giving, but he himself is not radically generous. He encourages community, but his relationships are transactional. He is always networking—but never truly abiding.

He loves being called “Pastor.” He thrives on admiration. He fears being forgotten. He secretly compares himself with other pastors and resents those more anointed than him. His identity is built on relevance, not righteousness. When confronted with truth, he deflects. When rebuked in love, he withdraws—or attacks. He hides insecurity behind certainty. He fears being exposed.

He uses Scripture as a tool, not as a sword. He avoids the parts that pierce his flesh.

He preaches Jesus, but he is not beholding Jesus. And because of that, he is not being transformed.

He is a perfect Carnal Christian—still saved, still loved, but asleep, entangled, deceived, and ineffective. Powerless. Joyless. Graceless.

But God still loves him. Jesus still died for him. The Spirit of Truth is still knocking on his heart. And the call to repent is still extended—not with shame, but with hope.

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24–25