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“The carnal mind is enmity [hatred] against God…so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
These verses are speaking about someone who is not saved. They have a “carnal” mind—a mind that enjoys natural things. They are looked upon as being “in the flesh;” that is, they operate only with their sinful fallen nature; they do not have a new life in Christ.
While these people may sometimes have a nice personality, and even do what are commonly called “nice things,” yet none of this is pleasing to God. We might wonder why this is so. Why cannot God accept good things that are done by people who are not saved? Today many who are not true believers may give money to help the poor, or may help someone out who is in trouble. Last summer my neighbor (who is not saved) offered to come over and mow my lawn for me. Tomorrow we will see why God cannot accept this as a good deed that will help toward his salvation.
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