Yes — the Bible teaches that every unsaved person’s carnal mind is enmity against God, making them His enemies.
Romans 8:7 says the carnal mind is enmity against God and cannot be subject to His law. Les Feldick explains that even well-mannered, respected citizens who claim to love God are still in this condition because their old Adamic nature is a natural rebel. That rebellion is what makes them enemies until God’s grace saves them.
Romans 8:7 — This is the central verse describing the carnal mind as enmity against God, explaining why non-believers are considered enemies.
Romans 8:7 says, 'Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' The word 'carnal' describes the natural, unregenerate mind of the unsaved person. Romans 8:6 explains that being carnally minded ends in death, while being spiritually minded brings life and peace. Romans 8:8 then adds, 'So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.' These verses show that the unsaved condition is one of innate opposition to God.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that the unsaved person has a carnal mind — the old Adamic nature — and that mind is in rebellion against God. 'The carnal mind is enmity against God,' he says, and enmity is just another form of the word 'enemy.' Les points out that you can find good, respectable people who say they love God and would never call themselves His enemies, but the Book says they are. Their old Adamic nature is a natural-born rebel, and when that rebellion surfaces, it can even show itself as hatred of God. This is why the lost person is an enemy whether he realizes it or not. Les also reminds believers that this was exactly what they were before grace saved them. Because the carnal mind cannot be subject to God’s law, God considers them His enemies, and Les concludes you cannot legislate Christian morality — the unsaved will go their own way.
Enmity is the state of being an enemy. The Bible uses this word to describe the carnal, or fleshly, mind. Les Feldick points out that if your mind is at enmity with God, you are His enemy. He says this is shocking to people who insist, 'I love God, I’m not His enemy,' but the book says they are. Their old Adamic nature is still a rebel, and a rebel is an enemy.
Les uses the example of good citizens respected in their community. He says that even though they may live pretty good lives, so far as God is concerned they are enemies. They have not come under His rule. The carnal mind is not subject to God’s law, and it cannot be. This is true regardless of outward behavior.
The Bible says the carnal mind 'is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' Les Feldick applies this by saying you cannot legislate Christian morality — you cannot force the unbelieving world to live a Christian life. They will go their own way. This is why they are enemies of God.
Why Did Adam's Sin Affect All of Us? Romans 5:10-14
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Enemies Before Grace
Les says God sees the unsaved mind as His enemy. Before salvation, even good citizens and respected community people were enemies of God.
Old Adamic Nature Rebels
Les responds to those who say 'I love God, I’m not His enemy' by pointing out the old Adamic nature is a natural-born rebel, and a rebel is an enemy.
Enmity Means Enemy
Les explains that 'enmity' is just another form of 'enemy.' Unsaved people are at enmity with God whether they know it or not.
Rebellion Against God
Les teaches that people who refuse to admit they are sinners and do what God says are in a rebellious state of mind, and rebels are enemies.
True Colors of a Rebel
Les uses the example of a woman who says 'I hate God' when confronted, showing that the lost person is an enemy and not subject to God's law.
Enemies Cannot Be Forced to Obey
Les says God regards unbelievers as His enemies, won't answer their prayers in a crisis, and you cannot force them to live a Christian life because they are not subject to God's law.
Meaning of 'Carnal'
Les defines the word 'carnal' as used by Paul — it can describe a fleshly believer or a totally unsaved person; in Romans 8:7 it refers to the unsaved.
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 is the foundational verse — it directly states that the carnal mind is enmity against God and cannot be subject to His law.
Romans 8:6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
This verse shows the consequence of being carnally minded: death, as opposed to life and peace for the spiritually minded.
Romans 8:8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This verse reinforces that those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Yes. Romans 8:7 says the carnal mind is enmity against God. Les Feldick explains that this is true even for people who do not feel hostile toward God, because their basic condition is rebellion against His rule.
Most do not. People often say they love God and are not His enemies. Les teaches that their old Adamic nature is a rebel, so they are enemies whether they know it or not.
No. The Scripture says the carnal mind cannot be subject to the law of God. Les uses this to show why you cannot force Christian behavior on the unsaved.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Adam's Sin Affect All of Us? Romans 5:10-14