Carnal Security

by J.R. Luck, Cromer | Category: Foes Of Our Faith | Jul 1970

Carnal security is part of the devil's strategy by which he tempts the believer to shirk the cost of his faith by reliance on worldly wisdom and concession to worldly practice. In the New Testament the term carnal (fleshly) is applied, not to the unsaved, but to the believer who attempts to walk by sight and not by faith. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5.7), and yet to some at Corinth Paul had to say "for ye are yet carnal ... and walk after the manner of men" (1 Corinthians 3.3).

The outworking of this tendency, from which none is immune, is seen in a leaning to one's own understanding in reaction to circumstances. By resting on his own resources the believer tries to avoid misfortune by fencing himself around with safeguards of his own making. To a greater or lesser degree this leads to compromise with the world. The scriptural case-histories which follow vividly and tragically illustrate this; they are examples of good men and women turning from the path of faith and, temporarily, walking by sight.

Abram, the father of the faithful, erred when he was tested in time of famine. He deflected by going down into Egypt when God had directed him to Canaan. Departure from God's way did not bring security but difficulty, which led to deception in the matter of Sarai.

Elimelech was blameworthy in leaving Bethlehem for Moab in time of famine, for it spelt lack of faith in God's preserving grace and love. After the LORD had dealt with him and his family in that foreign land, Naomi returned empty, not full and secure. The LORD graciously over-ruled in the return with her of Ruth, but this did not justify Elimelech's move.

Then there was Lot who chose, after the sight of his eyes, the well watered plain for his cattle, and found himself in the gate of wicked Sodom. The words of Psalm 106.15 underline all these incidents, "And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul". This always is the effect of seeking carnal security.

In 1 Samuel chapters 27 to 30 we note that even David was not guiltless in this respect. This is seen in his lapse of faith in fleeing from Saul and going for asylum to his enemy. "And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines" (27.1). This is the language of one seeking carnal security; there is no seeking the LORD'S face, but only a desire for physical security. He requested of king Achish a dwelling place in the alien country, and was given Ziklag. This worldly alliance led to David and his men joining forces with the Philistines with the intention of fighting against Israel, from which intention God's timely intervention saved him. Sad days followed for David; the burning of Ziklag, the taking captive of his women and children, and it was not until he "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" and "inquired of the LORD" that circumstances were straightened Out for him. The lesson for us is that to lean upon one's own understanding is carnal security, but to acknowledge Him in all our ways is the highest wisdom; and "He shall direct thy paths" is the purest bliss (Proverbs 3.6).

David's thirty seventh Psalm combats the carnal security idea and pronounces correctives thereto based on the fact that "a man's goings are established of the LORD; and He delighteth in his way" (v.23). How blessed if we can say,

"In the centre of the circle Of the will of God I stand, There can be no other causes, All must come from His dear hand".

Admittedly Luke l6.1-13 is a difficult passage in this respect, but it cannot be that our Lord herein justifies the seeking of carnal security by the believer. Though the parable was spoken to His disciples, no doubt it was directed to the Pharisees. They were listening and their derisive reaction is seen in verse 14. To them He said, "Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted (A.V. esteemed) among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (v 15), and again, "ye cannot serve God and mammon" (v.13). He elsewhere likened these men to "whited sepulchres" and may it not be that He, who abhorred duplicity, is here calling for single-mindedness and sincerity even in the matter of their covetousness? Knowing their hearts He saw that nothing would arrest their descent into the everlasting habitation of woe. The incident of the rich man and Lazarus, which immediately follows, seems to confirm this view.

Concerning practical application of this matter in the context of these days: as believers we must resist the tendency of acquiring "things" as status symbols. This is out of place in disciples of the lowly Man of Galilee. "By carnal ambitions and absorption in the things of time and sense we are virtually denying our spiritual nature and destiny, and our Lord's supremacy over all our life" (W. Graham Scroggie).

Then, let us be on our guard concerning education and careers for ourselves or our children, lest, in the desire to do well, carnal security attracts to the impoverishment of faith. God will indicate in His own way, by His word and the Holy Spirit's application of specific scriptures to our case, sometimes also by circumstantial tokens, the path He wishes us to take. If we disregard these in favour of getting on in the world, our path will be fraught with heart-breaking dissatisfaction, and we shall be drawn away from the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus.

Again, relative to our physical body, the present writer feels that much of today's reaction to illness may be erosive of faith in God's way for us, and may be another aspect of our desire for carnal security. Our Lord said, "Be not anxious for your life ... nor yet for your body ... " (Matthew 6.25). In contrast to this tranquil state of mind stands much of the modern passion for the unreasonable preservation of the body, and of the undue use of means (chemical, surgical and mechanical) for the extension of life. On the part of the worldling this is understandable but it could rob the Christian of that abundance of peace promised to those who rest in the Lord, and it may be an indication of spiritual sickness more injurious to faith than is the complaint to the body. "Man that is born of a woman is of few days ... seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with thee, and Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass" (Job 14.5). In view of this divine pronouncement should not our attitude be?

"Our times are in Thy hand!

0 God we wish them there,

Our lives, our souls, our all, we leave

Entirely to Thy care".

J.R. Luck, Cromer | Jul 1970
Foes Of Our Faith