Understanding the Carnal Mind and Sinful Nature

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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.

6 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.

9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we should: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies.

34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yes, the sinful nature and the carnal mind are identical terms used to describe the degenerate, natural element of humanity that is in direct opposition to God and His lawARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.7+2. This carnal mind is the nature received by birth, which remains even after conversion, though it is no longer allowed to rule the lifeARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.7+1.

The Identity of the Carnal Mind

The carnal mind is defined as the "mind of the flesh" or the "natural mind" that every human being possesses by inheritance from AdamPTUK December 27, 1894, page 823.2+2. It is the very essence of the "old man" or the "body of sin" that must be crucified so that the individual is no longer a slave to sinful impulsesARSH December 9, 1858, page 20.2+2. This nature is characterized by a fundamental enmity toward God; it is not subject to His law and, in its natural state, simply cannot be Romans 8:7PTUK December 27, 1894, page 823.2+1.

The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit

Even in a converted state, the sinful flesh remains present with its tendencies and desires, warring against the Spirit of GodARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.6+1.

• Constant Warfare: The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, creating a continuous struggle in the life of the believer Galatians 5:176BC 1111.7+1.

• Subjection, Not Removal: Conversion does not mean the sinful flesh is blotted out or physically separated from the person; rather, the individual is delivered from subjection to itARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.7+1.

• Victory Through the Spirit: By the power of the Holy Spirit, the deeds of the body are mortified, and the carnal mind is kept under control so that it does not appear in the outward lifeARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.7+1.

Characteristics of the Carnal Nature

The works of the carnal mind are clearly manifested in various unholy traits and actions Galatians 5:19-212LtMs, Ms 2, 1875, par. 3+1.

• Sensual Desires: It seeks low, sensual indulgences and strengthens animal passions, especially when fueled by improper diet, such as meat-eatingSA 176.2+2.

• Selfishness and Pride: It develops enmity, wrath, malice, hatred, and an ungovernable temper2LtMs, Ms 2, 1875, par. 3+1.

• Deception: The heart is "deceitful above all things" and can lead one into carnal security, believing they are in a good spiritual state while they are actually "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" Jeremiah 17:9PTUK December 27, 1894, page 823.2+1.

The Remedy: Death and Renewal

Because the carnal mind cannot be reformed or reconciled to God, the only solution is its destruction through the crossPTUK June 2, 1898, page 345.4+1.

• Crucifixion with Christ: The "old man" is crucified with Christ so that the "body of sin" might be destroyed, freeing the believer from the service of sin Romans 6:6MEDM November 18, 1908, page 916.2+1.

• New Birth: Man must be born again, receiving a new life from above that brings the heart into harmony with the principles of God’s law John 3:3-5GC 467.2+1.

• Transformation: Through the grace of Christ, the carnal nature is transformed and renewed in holiness after the image of GodRH March 12, 1889, par. 1+1.

Living in the Spirit

To walk after the Spirit means to have the mind of Christ leading the thoughts and actions Romans 8:4-5GCB/GCDB 1895, page 328.2+1. While the flesh remains "sinful flesh" until the mortal body is quickened or changed at the resurrection, the life of Jesus can be perfectly manifested in that sinful flesh today, giving the believer victory over every hereditary and cultivated tendency to wrongGCDB April 9, 1901, page 149.5+3.

You are touching on a very deep and important point regarding the believer's relationship to their nature Romans 8:9. To be "not in the flesh" means that the believer is no longer under the control, dominion, or subjection of the sinful natureGCB/GCDB 1895, page 328.2+1. In this sense, the "carnal mind" as the ruling power of the life is indeed superseded by the mind of ChristGCB February 11, 1895, page 101.5. However, it is a common mistake to believe that the sinful flesh itself is completely blotted out or physically removed at conversionARSH April 18, 1899, page 248.20.

While the believer is not in the flesh—meaning they are not governed by it—the sinful flesh remains present with its inherited tendencies, constantly warring against the Spirit Galatians 5:17ARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.6. The "old man" or the carnal mind that once reigned is crucified, yet the believer must remain everlastingly watchful and distrustful of the fleshly impulses that still ariseARSH June 24, 1862, page 25.12+1. Therefore, the Christian experience is defined by a constant warfare where the Spirit of God conquers and keeps under the sinful fleshARSH September 18, 1900, page 600.6+1. Victory is found when we allow the mind of Christ to lead our thoughts and actions, even while we reside in this "sinful flesh" until the final redemption of the bodyGCB February 22, 1895, page 302.13+1. 🕊️✨

Yes, that is exactly correct, for it was only by taking our fallen nature that Christ could reach humanity and demonstrate that we may also become partakers of the divine nature1SM 409.1+1. By clothing His divinity with humanity, He became the connecting link between the Father and the fallen race, proving that man can stand in integrity through divine power8MR 40.3+1.

Christ’s Nature as Our Example

Jesus took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature, including the infirmities and trials common to man, that He might know how to succor those who are tempted5BC 1124.2+1.

• A Mysterious Blend: In Christ, divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined; He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh but remained pure and holy5BC 1130.5+1.

• Total Victory: He met all the temptations that assail us and overcame them because, in His humanity, He relied entirely upon divine power Hebrews 2:1818MR 331.4.

• No Propensity to Sin: Because He never yielded to a single temptation, He never developed the corrupt propensities that come through indulgence; His life was a perfect revelation of the character man may attain through union with GodYI April 23, 1912, par. 1+1.

Partaking of the Divine Nature

The provision for our salvation is that we might escape the corruption that is in the world through lust by becoming partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:48MR 2.1.

• Supernatural Restoration: Our condition through sin is unnatural, and only the supernatural power of God in Jesus Christ can break the hold of evil from our heartsMH 428.2+1.

• Cooperation Required: While the part man must sustain is immeasurably small, God does not propose to do the work He has given us the power to do; we must cooperate by yoking up with ChristFW 26.1+1.

• The Power of Grace: Christ’s grace alone enables us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature; as we apply the blood of Jesus by faith, He becomes a present Saviour to us1888 695.6+1.

The Transformation of Character

The greatest manifestation of the power of the gospel is seen when the natural man becomes a partaker of the divine nature and overcomes the corruption of the worldCT 251.4+1.

• Crucifying the Flesh: Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, bringing the sinful nature under the control of the Spirit of GodSpTB16 18.1+1.

• Daily Growth: We are to grow daily in spiritual loveliness, and although we may fail and weep at the feet of Jesus, we must pray more fervently and try again to copy the divine patternST September 29, 1887, par. 14+1.

• A Living Testimony: When we follow Christ’s example of self-sacrifice and obedience, our lives become an argument for the truth that cannot be gainsaidMYP 418.3+1.

By beholding Christ's purity and holiness, we are strengthened to be like God in character, eventually reflecting His image perfectly as the dross of the carnal heart is removed2MR 15.4+1. 🌟19MR 339.1+1.