Being carnally minded results in spiritual death.
As Romans 8:6 states, to be carnally minded is death. Les Feldick clarifies that this means spiritual death—eternal separation from God—rather than a physical end. The carnal mind belongs to the old Adamic nature of those outside of Christ, and it is enmity against God.
Romans 8:6 — This verse directly answers the question by stating that to be carnally minded is death.
Romans 8:7 — It explains why the consequence is death—the carnal mind is enmity against God and is not subject to His law.
Romans 8:5–8 shows the contrast between the flesh and the Spirit. Verse 5 says, 'For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.' Verse 6 directly answers the question: 'For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.' Verse 7 explains the reason: 'Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' Verse 8 concludes, 'So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.'
Les Feldick teaches that to be carnally, or fleshly, minded is spiritual death and eternal doom. He describes the lost person as still in the old Adam, spiritually dark, blinded by the god of this world, and having no concept of the Spirit. Such a person minds the things of the world and has fleshly appetites. He also explains that Paul uses the word carnal in two ways. In Romans 8, it applies to the unsaved individual who is totally lost and is an enemy of God. But in other places, it refers to believers who are still fleshly-minded, not Spirit-filled, and are like babies in Christ. The carnal mind, he insists, is enmity against God and cannot be subject to His law, while those after the Spirit have life and peace.
To be carnally minded is to be fleshly, to be after the old Adamic nature. Les Feldick explains that a lost person is in spiritual darkness and blinded by the God of this world, so his only concerns are the things of this world, fleshly appetites, and materialism—he has no concept of the Spirit. The word carnal is also used of believers who are still weak spiritually and are under the control of the old Adam rather than the Holy Spirit, so they are as babes who still need milk.
The consequence is spiritual death. Les Feldick points to Romans 8:6 and says this means eternal doom and separation from God, not annihilation. If a person remains carnally minded outside of Christ and never steps into salvation, he will be eternally separated from God.
Romans 8:7 says the carnal mind is enmity against God and is not subject to His law, neither indeed can be. Les Feldick emphasizes that the carnal mind—the mind we are born with and inherit from Adam—is an enemy of God. Lost people are enemies of God even if they think they can pray to Him in a crisis.
Paul uses the word carnal in two ways. A carnal Christian is a believer who is saved and in the body but has not come out of the old lifestyle; he is more fleshly-concerned than spiritual. But when the word is used in Romans 8, it applies to the unsaved individual who is totally lost. God divides the human race into lost and saved, and among saved believers some are still carnal, unable to handle the deeper doctrinal meat of Scripture and still needing milk.
Definition of Carnally Minded
Les explains that those who are after the flesh mind the things of the old Adam—worldly concerns and fleshly appetites—because they are in spiritual darkness and have no concept of the Spirit.
Spiritual Death and Eternal Doom
Les equates carnality with the old Adamic nature and says the carnal mind brings spiritual death—eternal doom—while a spiritual mind brings life and peace.
Separation from God
Les defines spiritual death as separation from God, not annihilation, and notes that remaining in old Adam means separation from God forever.
Two Uses of Carnal
Paul can call a believer carnal if he is still fleshly-minded, though the same word in Romans 8 describes those who are totally unsaved.
Enmity Against God
Les stresses that the carnal mind is the old sinful nature of lost people and is an enemy of God, not subject to His law.
Carnal Believers Are Babes
In 1 Corinthians, carnal refers to saved believers who are still babes in Christ, controlled by the flesh rather than the Spirit and fed with milk.
The Unsaved Mind Is Enmity
Les shows the unsaved mind is enmity against God and is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be.
Believers Still Carnal
Les points out that many professing believers are still carnal, unable to handle the deeper doctrinal truths of Scripture and still on the milk of the Word.
Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
This verse sets up the contrast between the mindset of the flesh and the mindset of the Spirit.
Romans 8:6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
This is the key verse that directly states the consequence of being carnally minded.
Romans 8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
This explains why the carnal mind leads to death—it is at war with God and cannot obey His law.
Romans 8:8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This reinforces the outcome for those who remain in the flesh rather than walking after the Spirit.
In Romans 8, Paul applies the word carnal to the unsaved individual who is still of the flesh. Les Feldick says such a person is totally lost and is an enemy of God. The carnal mind brings spiritual death if they never step into salvation.
Yes. Paul speaks of carnal Christians who are believers and in the body of Christ but who have not come out of their old lifestyle. They are still fleshly-minded rather than Spirit-directed and are like babes in Christ who need milk rather than strong meat.
No. Les Feldick teaches that spiritual death is separation from God, not an annihilation of existence. To be continuously carnally minded is to be spiritually separated from God, not just for this life, but forever.
Watch the Teaching: Carnally Minded Is Death — What Romans 8:5-8 Really Means