Please decribe the term "carnal" without using rote scriptural definitions...?

Question

Please describe the word "carnal" and/or the phrase "desires of the flesh" in your own words, and not by rote memory of the scriptures. Thank You! =)

Answer 1

It's amazing what constructions people can make isn't it ?

From the answers it is clear that the general view of the 'Godly' is that 'carnal' means 'bad', 'naughty', mustn't do it. Yet the Roman Church actually still demands, effectively, that it's adherents not only do it ( 'carnal' stuff, that is ) but that everyone should know about it, i.e. that love-making is solely for the purpose of reproduction, and if pleasure somehow gets involved then you have to feel 'guilty' about it.

Hogwash !

As per the standard dictionary definitions, rightly quoted by a few, 'carnal' means simply 'of the flesh'. We are two part beings, a synthesis of meat and energy, the 'meat' is derived from an animal source, check out our DNA, the humble pig ( yes, all you semites, pay attention ) is almost as close to us, genetically, as the much-discussed chimpanzee.

The energy has been described in many ways, usually to our confusion, such as 'spirit', 'soul', 'auric body', 'higher self' and so on. It is simply the 'spark', the energetic emanation of individuated awareness. The 'God' particle.

"A rose by any other name would be as fair."

There is nothing wrong with the carnal, it is our physical bodies responding to the sensate world of the physical. It only gets into the undesirable condition if we get deluded into chasing a 'dragon' of insatiable ( literally meant ) lust for more and more of something that could ultimately do us harm. All the more so if, in our misplaced desire we do undesirable things to others.

So .... if you've got the 'meat', enjoy it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just don't let your desire interfere with another's enjoyment of their physical experience.

Answer 2

The word "carnal" comes from the Late Latin word "carnalis", which simply meant "flesh" or "meat". From the same root we get the word "carnivore", or "meat eater". In modern (especially spiritual) usage, the word "carnal" now is used as a metaphore for desires of the physical body (the "meat" we are made of).

The "carnal" desires, therefore, are merely the desires of our physical bodies: food, drink, mating, pleasure, etc. The normal carnal desires (desires of the flesh) are not necessarily evil: the body needs certain things to survive, and these carnal desires act as a guide for finding the things we need: food, drink, sleep, affection. The problem only comes in when a carnal desire is allowed to grow out of proportion to its true necessity. A good case is the person who is a compulsive over-eater, or the unfortunate individual addicted to sex or drugs. In these individuals, the normal carnal desires for food, affection, and pleasure, have been indulged to the point of toxicity, resulting in damage to the individual and those around them.

Animals are controlled by their carnal natures. Humans have been given a mind and a spirit, and the ability to think beyond the pleasures of their own flesh. We can set aside our own normal, fleshly desires for a higher calling or purpose, given the proper impetus.

Answer 3

" Carnal " . . . The base core of a physical being. The pure root of that physical essence. Carnal...primal, pure, no hiding from the real stuff.

" Desires of the flesh " . . . The primal hunger, urge to partake of the physical manner of relating with another. Lusting for that manner of relating with another physically...To release your primal urges emotionally and physically.

Both of these " definitions " would most likely be related in an irresponsible manner...not too much thought out. Just think...react. Of little to no emotions of compassion.

So how does my ' top of my head / off the cuff ' definition match up against Daniel Websters ? It's not " rote ". Didn't refer to the dictionary or scriptures. Only reference...my mind.

Answer 4

Sure. With regard to the meaning of this word as in the context of scripture, it means, pertaining to things of the flesh. A carnal desire; lust. A carnal weapon: anger, argument. Like that.

Answer 5

When I think of carnal I relate it to incarnation and reincarnation. If reincarnation means dying and returning to life in another body/form; and incarnation means dying and returning to the same life in the same form/body; then carnation or carnal means being born and living, not having died yet. Carnal has nothing to do with sex or sin but, "carnal knowledge" does. Carnal is not the same as carnal knowledge.

Carnal: bodily; corporeal.
the carnal world: worldly or earthly; temporal.

Answer 6

Simple put. Carnal is relating to physical needs.

Its relating to somebody’s physical needs or appetites, especially as contrasted with spiritual or intellectual qualities

In relations to the scriputres, with out using scriptures, its referring to the Carnal Mind verses the Spiritual Mind.

The Carnal mind seeks after the things of fleshly desires. Whereas the Spiritual mind, seeks after the things of the Spirit and How we can glorify and please God in our flesh.

Answer 7

"Carnal" comes from the Latin for "meat". In Spanish the word for meat is "carne." So "carnal" is related to the physical body, i.e., the flesh.

"Desires of the flesh" = what the physical body desires. That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

Answer 8

"carnal" would mean catering to your own lusts without any thought for the consequences. Those lusts don't necessarily have to be sexual, but, generally, when Christians are referring to "carnal lusts" that's what they mean. If you give in to every sexual urge you have, sooner or later, you are going to hurt someone...ultimately, yourself.
"Desires of the flesh", besides the obvious, which would be sexual lust, would also include any selfish desire your body might have...such as that nagging desire to eat all the ice cream late at night while the kids are asleep. Or the ridiculous desire to buy that gorgeous outfit, even though you know you can't afford it, and probably won't wear it anyhow...stuf like that are "desires of the flesh".
God bless you!

Answer 9

Carnal is the things of the flesh that fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and are an offense against the Soul.

They include lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. Those things which dishonor the body, that are not righteous to the soul of a person and are also considered sin, as well as knowledge of those things physical that are not sin.

Rote definition;

car·nal·i·ty, car·nal·ness, car·nal·ism, noun
car·nal·ly, adverb


—Synonyms 1. bodily, lustful, lecherous, lascivious, libidinous, concupiscent. Carnal, sensual, fleshly, animal all refer to bodily rather than rational or spiritual aspects of humans. Carnal, although it may refer to the body as opposed to the spirit, often refers to sexual needs or urges: carnal cravings, attractions, satisfactions. Sensual implies a suggestion of eroticism: sensual eyes; a sensual dance; it may also refer to experience of the senses: a sensual delight. Fleshly may refer to any physical need or appetite, sex as well as hunger and thirst: the fleshly sin of gluttony; fleshly yearnings. Animal refers to sexual appetites in a censorious way only; it may also describe pleasing or admirable physical characteristics or appearance: animal lust; to move with animal grace. 2. earthly, natural.

Answer 10

What? Did you misplace your dictionary?

Carnal:
(1) Relating to somebody’s physical needs or appetites, especially as contrasted with spiritual or intellectual qualities;
(2) Sensual or sexual;
(3) Relating to or consisting of the body.

Desires of the flesh:
See Carnal above