Christian Living
Hypocrisy vs Carnality Which is Which?
Hi Faith writers, I want to thank God once again for allowing me to return with another article to share with HIS people. We are going to continue on the topic of Hypocrisy. Today, we will look at 2 Words: Hypocrisy and Carnality. The world (people who are not Saved or Born-again) and the Christian world (those who are Genuinely Born-again Christians), fail to understand the difference between Hypocrisy and Carnality.
Most people who are Saved (True Believers in Christ) and those who are not saved (Unbelievers) alike label others they see who claim to be Christians do something unchristian like and right away label them as being Hypocritical or a two-face or a fake Christian. Although this is still happening and people are unaware of the topic of Carnality in Scripture—they label a baby Christian who still have issues—a Hypocrite when they fail to measure up to a mature Christian. And that is truly wrong and Biblically unfair.
The world and the Christian community both suffer from a gross ignorance of Biblical terms and meanings. So we need to be extra cautious when we evaluate someone’s character, because we don’t know if who we are seeing act out or have poor judgment is really Born-again, but lack spiritual maturity—and is therefore Carnal.
The Correct Meanings
A Hypocrite- is a play-actor. One who is feigning to be what one is not, a pretender and a cheat.
A Carnal Christian- is a spiritual babe in Christ who hasn’t matured to the level of being a standup righteous Man or Woman of God in many areas. The Apostle Paul taught mostly on Carnality than any other Apostle. The only time Paul used the word Hypocrite and Hypocrisy was in one verse (Galatians 2:13 NKJV) with Peter and Barnabas being led astray by the Jews when they did not want to fellowship with the Gentile Born-again Believers.
Paul used the word Carnal along with THE WORKS OF THE FLESH. His flesh wanted to do whatever it wanted, but the inner man (the human Born-again spirit) wanted to do things God’s way (See Romans 7:14-25 NKJV)
Paul spoke about Christians who have a Carnal mind (See Romans 8:7 NKJV). Christians who think like they used to think when they were not Born-again. These Christians are exercising Carnality--not Hypocrisy. They are struggling to evaluate a situation by God’s standards vs. the way they used to deal with the issues they are currently facing—with an old mind-set. God cannot work with a CARNAL mentality. But the minute we submit to God by saying, “Thy will be done”. God will pour out HIS Grace in us to deal with the matter on a spiritual positive note. (Romans 8:7-14 ESV)
Paul gave us a classic example: In his letter to the Christians at Corinth, Paul said;
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to CARNAL, as to babes in Christ. (v. 1)
I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; (v. 2)
Pausing here for a moment, Why were Corinthian Christians not able to hear Heavy duty deep teaching??? Paul gave us the answer in verse 3.
For you are still CARNAL. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not CARNAL and BEHAVING like mere men? (That is, like unchanged men—men who are not Born-again). (v. 3 AMP/NKJV) (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
Now, if we continue to read the verses in (1 Corinthians 3:4-10 NKJV), we will see why the Corinthian Christians had envy, strife and divisions among them, because they had 3 groups that were loyal, and siding or favoring 3 distinct Ministers—Jesus Christ, Apollos and Paul. So Paul’s case was that they are all different servants in one common cause to bring everyone enlightenment and enrichment of the principles of the Kingdom of God. Jesus saves, heals and delivers. Paul plants new Churches. Apollos water the plants (new believers) by teaching them the Word of God. So all 3 are important to getting the work of God done. And the people of God Matured.
What’s the point or connection Manuel?
These Christians were not Hypocrites because they despised, hated, envied one another, and struggled with one another. They didn’t even want to fellowship with one another because of the divisions among them. So, Paul had to encourage them and explain to them each Ministers role.
Now, take this example to here and now. Today, there are Christians who believes in Miracles, Signs and Wonders. Who fast and Pray and live a Holy (separated) lifestyle. And other Christians who never experienced a Miracle (aside from Salvation), they go to the doctor or the medicine cabinet quicker than getting on their knees to seek a Miracle from God. These Christians don’t fast and pray for a Miracle according to Scripture. Those Christians who don’t believe in Miracles—envy and strive against those who believe in Miracles. They are divided and call the spiritual Christians fake healing ministers. Well, the truth is they are CARNAL spiritual babes in the area of the Supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation among believers today.
God is no respecter of persons. What that means is, if we would humble ourselves like Apollos did in the Book of Acts we can also tap into the Supernatural things of God and experience a Miracle of healing and deliverance. Instead of wasting valuable time by being divided on the topic of the Supernatural. Or wasting our life’s saving on doctors. Remember the widow with the issue of Blood. She spent all her savings on doctors to no avail. Then she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received her healing. Healing is part of the Divine privileges and exchange that Jesus provided for all believers. So, it’s not for the faith healers only—it’s for all who believe. But we need to be taught a balanced and clear teaching on the topic of Divine Healing.
Hypocrisy the thorough Study…
I did an exhaustive study on the topic of Hypocrisy, Hypocrites and Hypocrite. Every mention of the Word Hypocrisy was directed to the Scribes, lawyers and Pharisees by Jesus, these 3 Religious sects would not accept Jesus as the Messiah or as a true Man of God. They would tempt HIM, falsely accuse HIM of operating in demonic powers when HE performed Miracles and Healings. When Jesus taught the People HE pointed out what was Hypocritical—Jesus went the extra 100 miles to clearly explain why and in what area were these religions in the practice of Hypocrisy. (See Matthew 22:18/ 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, and 27 NKJV)
* Hypocrites destroy others by slandering them Solomon wrote (Proverbs 11:9 NKJV)
* Hypocrites love to judge others unfairly (Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV)
* Hypocrites profess to know God—but are religiously righteous in their own eyes by keeping foolish rules and regulations God never intended for them to keep. (Matthew 23:13-27 NKJV)
* Hypocrites are self-righteous (Luke 18:11 NKJV)
* Hypocrites value traditions more than Truth, Justice, and the Love of God (Matthew 15:1-9 NKJV)
The entire Bible always speaks of Hypocrites as Religious People who think they are serving God, but really are not truly serving HIM—HIS Way.
* Carnal Christians love God but lack Mature Christian qualities (1 Cor. 3:1-3 NKJV)
* Carnal Christians still think about ungodly ways of doing things--instead of thinking about God’s Way of doing things (Romans 8:7-14 NKJV)
* Carnal Christians walk in the flesh not in the spirit. (Romans 7:14-25 NKJV)
* Fleshly behavior in found in (Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV) where Paul defines for us what they are; Paul outlined 17 different characteristics of Carnal behavior.
* Just because we may be Carnal in 1, 5, or 10 areas on this list of 17 things Paul pointed out doesn’t make us a Hypocrite. We are just Carnal in those areas and need clear instructions on how to be delivered from those areas we need work on as new believers in Christ Jesus. This is where the world and the Church of Jesus Christ need to understand the difference between Hypocrisy vs. Carnality.
Let’s keep learning and growing in the Grace and Faith of God, by Reading, Meditating and Practically doing what the Word of God says about walking in the Spirit. So, we can avoid the foolish labels people love to give us not knowing any better. May God Bless you to know the difference and keep you on the path of righteousness so we won’t become religious, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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