My First Blog Post!
Carnal, Sensual, Devilish
A few of the mechanics of mortality; The necessity of salvation through Christ
"Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
This week I have been thinking of beginnings. I don't know exactly where to start, possibly because I believe as human beings we tend to see "ends" very well. As a consequence of time beginnings are generally obscured to us by the mists of memory. Perhaps that is why a pen is mightier than a sword: with it one preserves a genesis.
I was reading in the book of Alma (found in The Book of Mormon) this week along with the "Come, Follow Me" program published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was struck by how Alma described our fallen state as a function of the Fall of Adam:
"...the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death. Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state." (Alma 42:9-10, emphasis added)
This is a bleak outlook on humanity by any metric. I certainly don't like being told I'm carnal and sensual, let alone devilish! Alma had good company in an earlier prophet, Abinadi, on this line of thinking:
"...every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just. And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not. For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil." (Helaman 16:1-3, emphasis added)
As I understand these passages, they mirror a popular modern philosophy that humans and their thoughts and actions are mere outgrowths of the physical structures of which we are comprised. Mankind, because of the fall, can choose to be left to their own devices. I think it is clearly evident in recent events that godless man sows destruction and reaps discord, fosters terror and nurtures fear. In fact I believe that it is natural for man to be an enemy to God, and that we must submit to One who is divine enough by nature to buoy our collective fallen natures. Before we search for that One, we must first ask three essential questions regarding our mortal beginnings:
What does it mean to be carnal?
A cursory survey of the scriptures shows that carnal is the antithesis of spiritual. Paul perhaps put it most simply to the Romans: "For to be carnally minded is death." I do love Paul's simplicity! That which is carnal is dead. It is not quickened by God, it is not sustained in His love nor by His law (see D&C 88:35). Paul goes on: "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, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:6-8). We show God whether we are carnal or spiritual if we abide by His laws, if we show we truly love Him (see John 14:15). Ultimately our actions define our spirituality or our carnality.
What does it mean to be sensual?
Jude, the brother of James, wrote a definition of those who are sensual. They are "mockers...who...walk after their own ungodly lusts" and "separate themselves" (see Jude 1:18-19). Sensuality is frequently contrasted with having love and the Spirit-which is ultimately the same thing (see ibid; D&C 20:19-20; Galations 5:22). Modern parallels of the "if it feels good, do it" variety spring to mind. Sensuality and sexuality are understandably conflated as the urges and needs associated are among the most powerful impulses of the human experience. Sex itself is not the thing differentiating us from God, but perhaps a definition of self on the basis of perceived sexuality is. One who attempts to distinguish and elevate themself from God's children based on their feeling is demonstrating the mortal foible of sensuality. This happens when we are angered, impassioned, embittered, or any other number of feelings which we use as an excuse to raise ourselves up and create a divide between God and us. We all suffer from sensuality; it is relentless, ruthless, and unforgiving.
What is devilishness?
The scriptures refer to this term but do not explain it. If we break apart the word, we separate it in two parts: devil, which is the enemy; Satan; the father of lies; and the suffix -ish, like unto; pertaining to; having the characteristics of. Thereby we can extrapolate its meaning to we are like the devil in that we are completely contrary to God by nature. James taught: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:14-16). The most accurate description of our "enemy state" before God and its antidote is found in the address of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon:
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
So there is our natural, "enemy state": carnal, sensual, and devilish. The cure is before us as well: the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Alma 34:10-15; 42:13-15). Why Him?
Simply put, Jesus Christ possessed the requisite Godly qualities to lift us out of our fallen nature if we repent and have faith on Him (see Moroni 10:32; 1 Corinthians 15:22). If mortal man is carnal, sensual, and devilish, it stands to reason that Christ would have at least three divine qualities which cover these fallen qualities. And He does! Look at Lehi's teachings to his sons:
"Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved." (2 Nephi 2:6-9)
Merits, Mercy, and Grace. Carnal, Sensual, and Devilish. Seems to fit, doesn't it? Carnal works are to be swallowed by the merits of Christ (see 3 Nephi 18:24, 27:21). Sensuality is to be replaced with mercy (see Alma 7:12; 3 Nephi 17:7). Devilishness is to be met with grace (Ether 12:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9). How great the importance to make these things known! We have a God who has given Christ such that we can finally do meaningful works, feel divine worth, and become more than our worst selves through Christ and His Gospel.