When the Church Becomes Carnal

From political pulpits to mystical messages, the modern church is drifting from biblical truth. Here's why carnality is killing spiritual discernment.

There was a time when the pulpit was sacred.

A place for the unfiltered truth of God's Word. A place for edification, instruction, correction, and hope.

But in many mainstream churches today, that pulpit has been replaced — not physically, but spiritually — by politics, emotions, and imagination.

The Rise of Political Pulpits

We are witnessing pulpits turned into political platforms.

Not places of prayer, but platforms of promotion.

Some messages have become thinly veiled endorsements, preaching candidates over Christ, policies over the gospel. It’s no longer, “What does the Lord say?” but “What does our party believe?”

And in these environments, any pushback is met with, “Touch not the Lord’s anointed.”

But here’s what the Word really says:

'Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. '

 (2 Timothy 4:2, NKJV)

The pulpit is not a rally ground — it is a holy ground.

Emotion, Imagination, and Twisted Texts

In some churches, the message is no longer Scripture-based — it’s emotionally driven.

• Scripture is twisted to match the speaker’s personal venting.

• Messages are built on imagination, not revelation.

• Personal frustration is dressed up as prophetic utterance.

A single verse — or a chain of disconnected verses — is pulled out of context to “support” whatever the speaker is feeling in the moment.

And because the verse is in the Bible, people shout, “Amen!”

Even when the message isn’t biblical.

'Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord .'

 (Jeremiah 23:16, NKJV)

Mysticism and Witchcraft in Disguise

There’s a growing trend of churches introducing non-biblical teachings:

• Portals and dimensions

• Third eye activation

• Sacred oils and artifacts

• Incense and sage “cleansing”

• Prophetic objects and mystical codes

Let’s be clear: this is not gospel. This is deception.

"For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:14–15, NKJV)

Some of these ministers know what they are doing. Others are ignorant.

Both are dangerous.

Because neither are walking according to the Spirit.

Carnality Has Replaced Spiritual Discernment

How is this happening?

How are people being misled?

Because carnal minds produce carnal churches.

When people stop reading the Word for themselves, they become dependent on personalities, performances, and platforms.

When people are not taught how to rightly divide the Word, they become easy prey for spiritual manipulation.

'These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. '

(1 Corinthians 2:13-14, NKJV)

Entire congregations are being emotionally stirred but spiritually malnourished.

The One-Verse Sermon Problem

Here’s a red flag: when the entire message is built on one verse — and that verse is taken out of context — you're likely hearing hype, not truth.

Context matters.

When Scripture is not read in full, it is easily twisted.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6, NKJV)

Biblical illiteracy is killing discernment.

This Is Not a New Problem

What we are seeing today is not new.

Paul warned about it. Peter warned about it. Even Jesus warned about it.

'For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.'

 (Mark 13:22-23, NKJV)

The infiltration of carnality, deception, and false teaching into the church is not a new battle — it’s an ancient one.

But praise God — there is always a remnant.

A remnant that still loves the Word. A remnant that still points to Jesus. A remnant that doesn’t chase hype but clings to truth.

"Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace." (Romans 11:5, NKJV)

A Call Back to the Word

It’s time to return.

To holiness. To Scripture. To truth. To Jesus.

It’s time to be led by the Spirit — not our emotions.

And it starts by picking up your Bible and reading it for yourself.

Test what you hear.

Read in context.

Stop chasing vibes, and start pursuing truth.

"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11, NKJV)

Have you allowed personality, politics, or performance to replace biblical preaching in your walk with God?

Share this with someone who may need to take a fresh look at what’s being preached from the pulpit. Let’s get back to truth.

Remember to strive to walk in God's truth, even when it says you're a liar. "Let God be true but every man a liar." (Romans 3:4, NKJV)