The Carnal Mind is Hostile to God—Romans 8:7

"The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so" (Romans 8:7)

The natural mind cannot receive the things of God. Paul says that the sinful mind or carnal mind is hostile to God. It hates the very things of God and cannot please God because it is impossible to walk according to his ways while following the desires of the flesh. Many Christians try and try but experience constant failure because they are not living by the Holy Spirit as their compass and guide. They are living out of their own efforts rather than living a life of faith.

To have true victory in life we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit that was given to us. His office and function is to instruct, help and comfort us on this earth. But just as important He reveals and reminds us what Jesus told us. It is the most blessed gift along with salvation that we received from God. If we are trying live apart from the provision Christ made for us in sending the Holy Spirit, then we will never know God in the way he desires. Jesus thought that this guide was so important that he said in John, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" ( John 16:7 ). So many times we wish that we could have Jesus sitting next to us teaching and instructing us. But Jesus said it was expedient that he return to the Father so that he could send us the Holy Spirit in His place.

While Jesus' time was approaching an end on this earth he began to minister to the disciples about the events that would be coming regarding this death upon the cross. He started comforting them by telling them of the promised Holy Spirit that he would be sending them. Jesus wanted to tell them everything but he knew that their limited understanding of spiritual things hindered them. That is why he told them in John, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" ( John 16:12-13 ). Jesus knew that they could not bear it in the natural, but after he sent the Holy Spirit, their minds would be opened to the very things of God and He would bring them understanding in a spiritual way. The Holy Spirits job is to teach us all things, even the very deep and intimate things of God. I Corinthians 2:10 says, "...but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God..." ( I Corinthians 2:10 ). That is why Jesus chided his disciples in Luke 24, to stay in Jerusalem until they received this promise, because He knew that it was absolutely necessary for life. The same is true for us today.

Today we learn that the natural mind is hostile to God. We cannot understand the things of God on our own because I Corinthians 2 says, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" ( I Corinthians 2:14 ). We need the Holy Spirit because we have been called into fellowship with God the Father through Christ the Son and it is their desire to show us all things. God has revealed everything to us and withheld nothing from us. We have this knowledge in our born again spirits. "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" ( I Corinthians 2:12 ). He wants us to know and understand everything. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches and reminds us of these very things. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" ( John 14:26 ). This is why it is imperative that we walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the Spirit in newness of life.

Today, as you read this wonderful revelation of truth, I pray that your heart is softened and receptive to the Holy Spirits direction in your life. With this change of heart you will experience effortless change by Him. Your mind will naturally align with His direction.... The result, life and soul peace. God bless you!

 

Previous: Romans 8:6  Next: Romans 8:8

Juli Camarin

My passion is to share as the Word of God [ read more ]

The Gospel 

This is the MOST IMPORTANT link you'll ever click [ read more ]

My Mission 

My mission is spreading the gospel of Jesus [ read more ]

Subscribe 

Subscribe & receive each post in your inbox [ subscribe now ]