car.nal
- pertaining to the flesh
- having a physical rather than an intellectual or spiritual orientation
- biblical: governed by unredeemed human nature and animal desires
- personal: ruled by your body and a lust for the impure
In the Garden, Adam and Eve enjoyed an unhindered relationship with God, they ruled over creation and delighted in each other without sin or error. Nice! But something terrible happened. They fell from that perfection.
I cannot tell you exactly what happened but I do know that things haven’t been the same since. Since that day we have become increasingly ruled by the cravings of our bodies and lesser natures. Where once we were noble, spiritual creatures living in fellowship with God and doing His will effortlessly, we have now descended into some kind of slavery to our darker sides. Our carnal natures.
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 5:8 NIV
Carnal literally means ‘meat oriented’ suggesting that our reasoning is drawn from the body and the drives are centered in that body. We were designed to have physical drives and enjoy them in God’s plan but what was meant for pleasure has come to govern and rule our lives. No wonder we do find fulfillment when our carnal nature derails the noble purposes of spirit and soul.
"When I am carnal, I am a meathead. I don’t want to be a meathead anymore." Ken Copeland
Today’s Readings
OT I Samuel 4-6 NT Luke 12:35-59
Today’s Wisdom
Be better prepared than you think you need to be.
"He said to them, ‘but now if you have a purse, take it and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.’" Luke 22:36
Today’s Humor : Actual Insurance Stories
- I didn’t think the speed limit applied after midnight.
- A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
- The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
- I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment.
I appreciate the jokes you send me but remember that my email filters out FWD: so copy and paste if you want me to get it. Talk to you tomorrow.
Michael