Destroying What God Has Built

Dr. Couch, there seems to be people out here in our churches and schools bent on destroying what God has built? Is this not so? ANSWER:  Yes, you're right. There are people who are deep into carnality and fleshliness. They are not into heresy but simply carnality! Paul speaks about this in 1 Corinthians 11:19. "For there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved (who are tried) may be made manifest among you."    I have seen evil men in churches who are heretics. Not doctrinally so but in their actions, Hodge would say. Hodge points out that the word "heresy" here implies that they choose to destroy, say a church or a seminary. The word implies, he says, a "chosen way of life, a party of men who come together to destroy." Hodge goes on and writes: "By the prevalence of disorders and other evils in the church, God puts his people to the test. They are tried as gold in the furnace, and their genuineness is made to appear. It is a great consolation to know that dissension, whether in the church or in the state, are not fortuitous, but are ordered by the providence of God, and are designed, as storms, for the purpose of purification."    So be prepared for evil men in the church who will try to take over, to divide, and cause trouble. In God's mysterious providence they are sent by Him to make you stronger. There are no accidents with the Lord. All things have a reason for happening!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Seduced by Idolatry

Dr. Couch, can believers be seduced by idolatry? ANSWER: You bet they can! Not so much today, but during Paul's day many of the Gentiles were tempted again to serve idols. Paul warns believers about this. He told the Corinthians, "Do not be idolaters, as some of" the Jews were in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:7). He added, "My beloved (the believers), flee from idolatry" (v. 14). And then John wrote: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21 ).    We forget that believers can act fleshly or carnal and live just like the world. Paul warned: "You are not able to receive solid food, "even now you are not yet able. … are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men (the lost)?" (1 Cor. 3:2-3).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Can There Be 'Carnal' Christians?

Dr. Couch, do the Scriptures teach that there can be "carnal" Christians? And, is it possible to be "carnally saved"? 

 

    ANSWER: The Bible clearly states that there are three categories of mankind. Paul refers to the (1) natural man (psukikos, soulish) who operates only from the center of himself, from the core of his soul and from nothing else (1 Cor. 2:14). Then there is the (2) spiritual man (pneumatikos, spiritual) who is born again and who has the work of the Holy Spirit as central in his life. He is filled (controlled) by the Spirit for daily living. He wants to operate by what the Spirit of God says, and not what his flesh dictates. Then there is (3) the fleshly, carnal man (sarkikos, carnal) who is the Christian who operates by putting his flesh front and center—by what he can see, touch, hear, say, and where he can go. He then grieves and smothers the work of God’s Spirit in his life. 

    I am not sure what you mean when you speak of being "carnally saved." I believe when one accepts Christ, and places all of his sins at the cross, that this is the lowest moment for any human being. He then is most "spiritual" and empty of himself. Unfortunately, many Christians then get up off of their knees and start walking carnal rather than relying on the Spirit of God, and Scripture, in guiding them. 

    Thanks for asking,

    Dr. Mal Couch