What does it mean to be carnal or fleshly in 1 Corinthians 3?
In 1 Corinthians 3, being carnal or fleshly describes believers who are not spiritual but are babes in Christ. They are fed milk, not meat, because they cannot bear deeper truth. Carnal believers cannot get excited about the deep things of God.
Les explains that the Corinthians were the people receiving this heavy, deep instruction, but the Holy Spirit would not have prompted it if it were too much for a carnal church. This teaching is for every believer, even the babes in Christ. Being carnal or fleshly means they were not spiritual; they were fed milk, not meat, because they were not able to bear it, and even then were still not able. They could not get excited about the deep things of God. Les notes that God does not want people to be fleshly and carnal; He wants them to be spiritual and to enjoy the knowledge of God. This leads to the question of whether one is a shame to God because of biblical ignorance or a faithful servant.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.