What is a carnal Christian?
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Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 20: Paul said, “Brethren, I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” The “carnal Christian” is the man who has been awakened by the Spirit of God to his need of Jesus Christ and has received Jesus Christ into his life as his Savior—but he has never submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Thus, he is one who believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior but is still ruled by his flesh. Paul said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual but as carnal, even as babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for you have not been able to receive it before, neither are you able now.” The carnal Christian lives in an arrested state of spiritual development. He has never grown beyond the crib or beyond the bottle. He is still as he was 15 or 25 years ago when he first came to Jesus Christ—in the infancy state. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
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Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-16.
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What is a carnal Christian? → wsb.bible/answers/what-is-a-carnal-christian