Why does the Bible say people who love God are still enemies of God?
Scripture says this because the carnal mind, still controlled by old Adam, is enmity against God. Even people who claim to love and believe in God retain an old Adamic nature that is a natural-born rebel. Since a rebel is an enemy, their profession does not change that condition.
Les explains that this teaching is in verse 7 and throws a curve at most people. The carnal mind is anyone still under the control of the old Adam, someone who has never had the power of the gospel operate in their life. That mind is enmity. When people say they do not hate God, that they love God and believe in Him and are not His enemy, the book says they are, and the book does not lie. This is because their old Adamic nature remains a rebel against the things of God. People must be convinced that the old Adamic nature is a natural-born rebel against the things of God. If you are a rebel, you are an enemy. Les illustrates this with the expression used among friends: “with friends like that, who needs enemies?”
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
More Questions
How can the Bible call people enemies of God when they say they love God?
Scripture can say people are enemies of God even while they claim to love and believe in God, because their old Adamic nature is still a rebel.
Why is the carnal mind said to be enmity against God?
The carnal mind is enmity against God, meaning it is God's enemy.