The Carnal Mind Hates God
You Cannot Reform Your Carnal Mind
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom. 8:7)
In Romans 8:7 we learn that our “carnal mind” bears resentment and hostility toward God. The word “enmity” in its Greek transliterated form is “echthra” and actually means “hatred or ill-will.” It is said to be the opposite of the Greek word “agape,” meaning love. The idea that our carnal mind is opposed to God in the sense of hatred should not come as a surprise. It is part of who we are and what we are. The cravings and appetites of our carnal nature often seek satisfaction or fulfillment outside of the righteous wisdom of God. These choices, decisions, or behaviors are often laced with negative and detrimental consequences. Not all, but much of our unhappiness and misery flows from following the desires of our sinful nature. Our carnal mind and sinful nature are the dominant and controlling power from which our ideas, desires, and behavior flow before we turn to God in complete repentance.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
The darkness of our carnal thinking keeps us bound in an invisible dungeon of spiritual despair while offering us the pleasing temptations of corruption so passionately desired by our sinful nature. Though the darkness seems hopelessly inescapable, it is not. God has provided the exact amount of conviction or guilt of sin, grace, and faith to lead us out of the darkness of carnal-mindedness and into His presence. Jesus said this was the mission of the Holy Spirit, to prove that we are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation and lead us toward repentance. At some point in time, we are all confronted with the fact that love for our sin and sinful nature is keeping us from turning to God. During these moments the Holy Spirit confronts and convinces us, urging us to turn to God. Those who surrender to God’s call enter into a new relationship that begins with being born again by the Holy Spirit.
I remember leading a Bible Study group when a woman broke out in tears, got up, and headed for the door. I asked, “what’s wrong?” She replied, “I can’t do this, I can’t do this,” and with tears streaming down her face she hurried out the door. The woman was cohabitating with a man and when we reached Jesus teaching on adultery and sexual immorality she became overwhelmed with guilt. I spoke with her later and learned that while she knew her sexual life was wrong she was not willing to marry or separate. It was the overwhelming conviction of God’s Holy Spirit that confronted her immorality and it was her love for her ungodly relationship that she chose instead of turning to God.
When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:8-11)
In the same Bible study group, there was another couple who was also unmarried and living as husband and wife. One night after the study was over they prayed and turned their lives over to God. Soon they were baptized, married, praying, attending church services, and reading their Bibles.
Our carnal mind or nature is selfish, corrupt, and anti-God. It is easily influenced by demonic activity. It is the ruling force in every unbeliever’s life. It will never submit to God. It gushes with pride, glories in lust, and is wickedly unprincipled. To be governed, led, and controlled by our carnal mind brings death in this life and the life to come. It is not possible to reform our carnal mind and make it love God because it is part of our sinful nature. In our carnal mind, God is the enemy of all our ungodly fleshly desires. This is why we must be born again by the Spirit of God who creates in us a new spiritual mind that is controlled not by our fleshly sinful nature, but by God’s Holy Spirit who comes to live in us when we turn to God.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
When one turns to Christ the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit totally changes our perspective as our spiritual mind comes alive and we are supernaturally enabled to think, understand, and behave in accordance with God’s word. The Holy Spirit dethrones our carnal mind and sinful nature, rendering it powerless to control our lives. Our mind is no longer under the control of our sinful nature but now controlled by our Spiritual mind which is transforming our lives moment by moment into Christlike charter. We are now lovers of God, lovers of truth being led by the Holy Spirit and our spiritual mind. Our desires and appetites for the old ways of our sinful flesh have no appeal or interest to our spiritual mind. But don’t think for a moment that the old carnal mind or nature is going to completely abandon your life. Yes, it is defeated and out of power, but it is not going away. It will make appeals for attention and control all the days of our lives and from time to time we will find ourselves acting out its schemes.
Being born again is an event or experience, but living the remainder of your life on earth as a follower of Jesus is a journey and a process through which we grow up in Christ and become mature followers, not tossed about by every wind of doctrine or cunning scheme the devil and our sinful nature contrives, (Ephesians 4:14).
Today in 2021 many people are searching for answers to life’s difficult questions, hardships, and uncertainty. We look to friends, family, social media, academics, philosophy, TV, movies, music, role models, self-help literature, and a host of other influences. It is more obvious than ever before that this world will never satisfy our desperate need for God. Some of us will become highly successful as the world measures success while others will become a complete disaster. The rest will find themselves somewhere in-between always searching and reaching for just a little more of the elusive dream. However, without Christ, it is not possible to comprehend the true meaning and purpose of life. It is not possible to know and experience the “abundant life” promised by Christ in John 10:10. On the contrary, you will always be learning but never coming to an understanding. Without Christ, it will all be meaningless, and in the end, there will be no forgiveness, no mercy, no grace, and no eternal life. The carnal nature will have won the war and you will have suffered a great loss for all eternity.
In the words of the Apostle Paul:
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:20-21)
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
