The Mere Men Syndrome

The world is full of opinions today and platforms abound to make one easily heard especially with the advent of social media. There is no better time in history than now where men have this much freedom to air their opinion almost at own full terms and in an instant, you could be addressing a global audience. It has also become almost impossible to separate Christians from the rest of the pile as there appears to be no discernible marker that differentiate the believers and unbelievers alike. There is no dichotomy in the views of a Christian and a non-Christian especially on matters in which the Bible is very loud. In fact, it appears we now have a convergence in opinions and way of life of Christians and non-Christians on several subjects such as gender, marriage, sex, freedom, parenting, money and many more. It is an almost indiscernible righteousness! The painful part is, if you call a Christian’s attention to the obvious contradiction in their public posture to the tenets of Christian faith, you are easily labelled hypocrite, dragged and cancelled. Yet the Bible tells of such an age ahead of time to forewarn us.

2 Timothy 3:1 – 5 (NKJV) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

It has also become harder to stand for the truth of God’s word especially when you are surrounded by Christians of different minds, mostly people who have not learnt their own identity well (or not at all). Doctrines in our Churches have taken the hit and have become more secular in a bid to draw in the crowd and keep large capacity churches. Our songs can be sung across religions and sometimes even in clubs because they are not discernible as Christian songs except that they are sung in our churches. Gone are the days when Christians are reliable and trustworthy friends, colleagues, spouse, employees and employers etc. We are now in an era where you probably should discontinue some relationships once the other party pushes his Christian identity in your face. It is an obvious danger sign that you are going to regret the relationship. There are many Christians in position of leadership in business and governance with negligible or zero impact on transparency and public trust. In fact, we have had pastors in leadership positions jailed for corruption related offenses. That is how low we have gone in the face of the public. Of course, the Bible tells us days such as this would come. This is further exacerbated by our attitude to God’s word, in that we have this attitude of selecting what appeals to us as the word of God. This, the Bible also forewarned that men would at some point draw teachers of their own liking who would teach them what they prefer to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3 – 4 (NKJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

When Princes behaves like servants and feel no hurt about it and in fact shamefully goes about with this debased lifestyle is what I have labelled the mere men syndrome. It speaks of Christians who beyond being born into a Christian family but who identifies as born again, spirit filled, Bible wielding and Church attending yet who sees no problem in conformity with the world in every marker that sets us apart from the world. It is also not new; we have an example chiefly in the Corinthian Church. This is what we are examining in this article.

1 Corinthians 3:1 – 4 (NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like [mere] men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Emphasis mine

Paul the apostle called this church babes, immature in Christ. Do not be mistaken, they certainly were Christians and we see this in the way he addressed them in his salutation at the beginning of the letter and also much later as is the manner of apostle Paul to constantly call you to remembrance of your identity.

1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes [our] brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Emphasis mine

1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11 (NKJV) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Emphasis mine

In fact, Paul did say he could not speak to this Church as spiritual people but as immature. They were immature in understanding and application of the message of Christ not in age. So, feeding them with milk is just in how he communicates the gospel to them not in the content because he went ahead to share with them some profound things in the mysteries of Christ. He would use symbols rather than the reality because of their understanding. This understanding is also the way they treated the word. Instead of receiving the word, they quarrelled about their favourite minister, that some even brought Christ into it. So, he described them as behaving carnally.

So, who is a carnal person?

 A carnal or mere man is a natural person, an unregenerate, not born again, who has not accepted the life of God.

John 3:6 (NKJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

A carnal person is godless.

Romans 8:5 – 8 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who [live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:9 – 10 (NKJV) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ [is] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Emphasis mine

A Christian can never be a carnal fellow! But amazingly, Paul referred to Corinthians Christians as unto carnal, that is, the unregenerate. So, he could not speak to them as spiritual but as unregenerate. How did he know and why did he call them babes? There was so much envy, strife and divisions in their church including along minister lines. Carnality is seen in conducts which he dismissed as behaving like mere (unregenerate, unspiritual) men. There was no difference in their conduct when compared with people who did not have Christ. Their behaviour was not from Christ standpoint. There was no difference in their conduct when compared with people who did not have Christ. You will notice that the New King James Version added the word “mere” in 1 Corinthians 3:3 to help distinguish unbelievers from believers. The point here being the disciples of Christ are not ordinary men. So, it becomes a thing of grave concern when believers behave like the rest of the world and we have many examples in this Corinthian Church.

Factions!

1 Corinthians 1:11 – 13 (NKJV) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s [household], that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Sexual Immorality!

1 Corinthians 5:1 – 2 (NKJV) It is actually reported [that there is] sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Even Lawsuits!

1 Corinthians 6:1 – 8 (NLT) When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.

In chapter 8, you will see that they had disputes over food sacrificed to idols, chapter 11, the covering of the head and the Lord’s supper, chapter 14, utterances and in Chapter 15 resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 11:17 – 18 (NKJV) Now in giving these instructions I do not praise [you], since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. Emphasis mine

1 Corinthians 15:12 – 19 (NKJV) Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching [is] empty and your faith [is] also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if [the] dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith [is] futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

If you have to deal with this much issues, when will you ever get the time to learn things of the Kingdom of God? Do you realize we still live with all these issues and even more today? The implication is that we are harbouring carnality, walking as mere humans, as though without Christ, without hope, denying our identity and living in our past.

What was our past like?

The scripture is very descriptive. We were under bondage and tutelage of the devil whether we admit it or not. The scripture certainly does teach that nature abhors vacuum. If the Lord does not occupy a man, devils will take the place. So when we did not know the Lord, we were in darkness under the devil. This control is usually manifested in the diverse lusts that is manifested in those who are not devoted to God.

Ephesians 2:1 – 3 (NKJV) And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Emphasis mine

Ephesians 2:11 – 12 (NKJV) Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 4:17 – 19 (NKJV) This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Titus 3:3 (NKJV) For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

This is what we are now, a spiritual man!

Ephesians 2:4 – 10 (NKJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11 (NKJV) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Emphasis mine

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

John 1:12 – 13 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:9 – 10 (NKJV) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ [is] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Emphasis mine

Romans 8:14 – 17 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit [with Him].

1 John 3:1 – 2 (NKJV) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Emphasis mine

Closing words!

The scripture is very clear, our conduct differs from the corruption of the world. We are not expected to live our life to conform to the word, rather, our lives are to give expression to the word of God wherein we have our identity and functionality detailed. You may want to read the article In the Image of God for more on this. 

Ephesians 4:20 – 24 (NKJV) But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

1 John 2:15 – 17 (NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

When a Christian does not live the standard of the word of God habitually consenting not to wholesome word and doctrine of Jesus Christ, there is only one advise from the word of God, depart from such fellow.

2 Timothy 3:1 – 5 (NKJV) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Emphasis mine

Shalom.