THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN

THE CARNAL AND THE LEGITIMATE

     This is a tremendous subject, yet it might be profitable to consider. If souls only knew where to divide and draw the line between the lawful and unlawful, between God-given desires and the point where such desires (because of abuse) become carnal and sinful, they could then be upon their guard, know just when to put on the brakes, and thus save themselves many a downfall.

     Every tendency that has been abused until it has become carnal and sinful, was originally God-given and as pure as heaven.

     Some tendencies are natural, while others are the result of personal sins, and hence take the place of those that God planted in the soul.

     Now, let us notice a few God-ordained principles that may be abused until they become depraved, so that what was divinely intended to be a source of happiness has become a curse. For example:

     Pride. -- This element, before it became depraved through sin, was "a noble self-esteem springing from a consciousness of worth." A sanctified self-respect that would not stoop to deceitful things; a childlike reserve; a holy dignity such as possess angels, but when carried too far could properly be termed "Inordinate self-esteem, and unreasonable conceit of one's superiority, beauty, or wealth."

     Selfishness. -- When God created man, He begat within him that element of "self-love" which was necessary to cause him to provide for his necessities and comforts. When indulged in to excess it leads a person to plan and scheme for his own advancement, interest, power, and happiness without regard to others. Thus it becomes the very essence of human depravity.

     Holy affection. -- This is a God-given tendency. Were it not for this, men would be more coarse than they are and have no respect for the more refined sex, while women would be slovenly and untidy. But when this pure and innocent thing becomes abused, then it is known as "Inordinate affection," "spiritual affinity," unholy desire between those of the opposite sex.

     Love of Appreciation. -- There never lived a soul who took delight in being depreciated and set at naught. No, it is perfectly consistent with holiness to have a glad consciousness that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. But when this is abused then its possessor becomes too conscious of himself; hence there is love of human praise, a secret fondness to be noticed, love of supremacy, drawing attention to self in conversation, a swelling out of self after having a free time in speaking or praying.

     Holy indignation. -- The same feeling of displeasure that God has toward irreverence and ingratitude. The same as Jesus felt toward the buyers and sellers. A great many people hide behind this and excuse themselves for feeling stirred and impatient when interrupted or pressed; for being touchy and sensitive at times; for having a disposition to resent and retaliate when reproved or contradicted. Do not call this "holy indignation." This is the depraved part of it.

     All human needs and desires, though in themselves lawful and innocent, become sources of danger unless steadily guarded.

     Even a holy nature (as in Adam or Eve) has elements which unless steadily guarded, will work ruin and death. Yea, the purest virtue that may dwell in finite nature will degenerate unless it constantly has the application of the blood. The very word self-denial implies an element in human nature that though in itself not carnal, yet requires constant bringing into subjection lest it become so. No doubt this is why Paul said, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient."

     If it be true that God's object of salvation is to purify and reinstate man to the same moral plane upon which Adam lived before the fall, God will never be satisfied until man regains that perfect image which he lost, again mounts the stage from which Adam with shame had to step down, and lives the life Jesus exemplified. This is God's ideal; if He furnishes the grace, we can easily do "all things through Christ who strengtheneth us."

     And when the "mighty deed is done" and we through grace regain our former position and every power of the soul has been purified, let us then steadily guard those elements that may again become carnal and work ruin and death.