Whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye
not carnal?

— 1 Corinthians 3:3

No natural man knows anything about carnality. The flesh lusting
against the Spirit that came in at regeneration, and the Spirit
lusting against the flesh, produces carnality. “Walk in the Spirit,”
says Paul, “and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh”; and
carnality will disappear.

Are you contentious, easily troubled about trifles? “Oh, but no one
who is a Christian ever is!” Paul says they are, he connects these
things with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly
awakens petulance in you? That is a proof that you are yet carnal. If
sanctification is being worked out, there is no trace of that spirit
left.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He does
not ask you to put it right; He asks you to accept the light, and He
will put it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and
stands bared before God; a child of the darkness says – “Oh, I can
explain that away.” When once the light breaks and the conviction of
wrong comes, be a child of the light, and confess, and God will deal
with what is wrong; if you vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to
be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself;
when carnality is gone it is the most real thing imaginable. God will
see that you have any number of opportunities to prove to yourself
the marvel of His grace. The practical test is the only proof. “Why,”
you say, “if this had happened before, there would have been the
spirit of resentment!” You will never cease to be the most amazed
person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

On this day...

• Results of a lesser Gospel - 2011
• We are only as strong as our current devotional life - 2011
• Making the Gospel glory known - 2011
• THE BURNING HEART - 2009