What It Means to Be Carnal—and How We Grow Into Spiritual Maturity What Does Being “Carnal” Really Mean? In the Bible, the word “carnal” comes from the Greek word sarkikos, which simply means “fleshly” or “of the flesh.” In everyday language, being carnal describes a life led mostly by our natural desires, emotions, and instincts—things like pride, jealousy, anger, or…