Carnal Piety

Serving Two Masters:

Carnality has long been an issue in our Church body.  The question of where we should draw the lines that separate worldliness from our Godly appearance, has often plagued us and has split churches and even created new denominations.  Women wearing makeup, hair styles, earrings, clothing, and more have often established visual lines of separation of the world  and of our Christly Piety.  For the sake of this article we will not try to set new standards of piety but take a look at today’s infiltration of the carnal world into our Church body and how our tolerance of such has expanded.

By most standards piety would be defined as having personal reverence for God, parents, or those in authority; living in a frame of personal obedience both in public and in private, while not putting on an overtly outward display of those things for the sole purpose of being seen.  Humility is often thought to come with piety.  Today, people look at our lives and evaluate where we stand in Christ according to the fruit that we bare and the Christ like walk they see in us.   Read Matthew 6:1-8 for a good illustration of true piety as instructed by Christ himself.

Why is this article important?  It seems today that the lines between our Christian Piety and the carnal world are being increasingly blurred.  More and more churches must take action among members who blatantly flaunt worldly activity.  Even greater, churches who should take action are choosing to look the other way under the guiles of, “We are not to judge.”  This second attitude leaves a congregation in turmoil, members with justification of their own sin, and open doors to the approval of a sinful nature.

Let’s take a look at this by comparing the types of carnality (love of or resemblance of the flesh & the world) that are infiltrating our midst today through the very fabric of the body of Christ.  Carnality is carnality on any level, but we will place a greater focus on Double Minded Carnality the third type of carnality described here.

The first is Righteous Carnality.  This is when a Church becomes much like the Pharisees and Sadducees of old.  This Church body or individual becomes so focused upon what they believe is right and wrong in the world and the lives of individuals that they fail to point the way to Christ.  An example of this would be an individual who spends their time fighting for various “Christian” causes but has most likely never shared the gospel with anyone.  Righteous carnality is much different from piety as it is focused more on the outward appearance than the inward change of man.

The second is Hierarchal Carnality.  This is when the focus of the individual or Church is elevating oneself through and not in Christ.  Advancement of the kingdom is simply a by-product of their actions, though they would not have you believe that.  They use Christ as the mechanism of their self promotion.  This individual does all the right things, says all the right things, seems to be in all the right places, and is very visual in doing so.  This is the carnality that Christ warns us about in Matt. 6: 1-18.  These individuals are seeking more the approval and recognition of man than heavenly reward.  Per Christ instruction those of this nature, receive their reward here on earth and miss out on their heavenly reward.

The third is Double Minded Carnality.  This individual is stuck in two worlds.  They appear to want to follow Christ and His teaching yet perpetually surrender to the world in their lives.  This individual seeks personal justification for sin in their lives relying on God’s “infinite” grace to overcome all.  While it is true that God’s grace (Christ Sacrifice) was sufficient for all sin, it is also evident that if an individual has accepted Christ as Lord, their tendency should be to edify Him by living a life He has instructed us to live.  We are called to strive to perfection in Jesus; His grace is our protection when we fall short.  The dividing factor of grace is when we define grace not simply as unmerited favor but, as the outward reflection of Christ to the world around us.  A good indicator is when our faithfulness to the word, prayer, devotion, and obedience to Christ outweighs and regularly overcomes our temptation of the world.  This is not to say that we never fail or make mistakes but that when we do, we take proper action in true repentance and if possible repairing any damage we may have done.

What does the bible say about Double Minded Carnality?

·         Matt. 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

·         Rev. 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

·         1 Peter 1:13-16 “¹³ Wherefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope with perfect stedfastness in the grace which will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as children of obedience, not conformed to your former lusts in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as he who has called you is holy, be ye also holy in all your conversation; ¹⁶ because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.”

·         Gal. 5:17,18 “¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; ¹⁸ but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.”

·         Romans 6:1-14 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ^2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?...........”

It is obvious through Biblical teaching that we are to be in the world but separate from it.  We can give numerous Bible quotes to this defense.  Why is it, we appear so much like the world and/or lack the desire to hold one another to a level of spiritual integrity?  I’ve had the opportunity to hear the hearts of pastors all across this nation.  The great sin is that often times we lack the loving desire to hold one another accountable for personal action.  To see evidence of this double minded carnality we need look no further than the social media sites we often use.  Individual postings, comments made, photographs, pages, and groups joined or followed display much of one’s personal awareness in Christ.  Much of what many professing Christians are posting is disturbing.  If you've seen it then you know what I’m talking about.  If not, then count yourself fortunate and should you decide to begin using social media sites consider yourself warned. 

Many refuse to call friends out and use the excuse saying we are not to judge.  Let’s be clear, I do not have to judge what the Bible has already declared to be sin.  Second, understand that judgment is not in the determination of right and wrong but takes place when the penalty for action is determined.  I can say and determine what is right and wrong according to the word, but it is not in my ability to pass judgment or sentencing.  That action is solely reserved for Christ our Lord.   Some may remark, “What about your compassion?”  I would submit that it is less compassionate and less loving to allow someone you care about to continue in their carnal pursuits without addressing it, but simply praying they will change.  We are the agents of change.  We are to encourage growth.  This cannot happen if we cannot offer honest friendship, companionship, and leadership.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”  Let us move forward in faith, kindness, and love to lift one another up in prayer and Godliness.  It’s never too late for God to turn things around.  To do this we must allow him to work through us to build one another up.  His desire and call is that we walk upright before Him, relying on His sufficient grace for our salvation and not that we seek to abuse His grace and take salvation for granted.  As according to Ephesians 4:3, may we endeavor to keep unity in the bonds of peace. 

Serving Christ By Serving You,

Bryan Taunton