Note 16 at Rom. 8:7: This word "carnal" is translated from the same Greek word as "flesh" (see note 13 at Rom. 8:6, above). Just as with the word "flesh" (see note 3 at Rom. 7:18, p. 790) there is more than one way that the word carnal is used. All sin is carnal, but not all carnality is sin. Carnal can also refer to human ability or natural things.

Trying to live the Christian life from our own ability is carnal. In context, Paul is contrasting the hopeless struggle of the flesh to live holy which he portrayed in Romans 7:15-24 with the Spirit-filled life that he presents in this chapter. Therefore, he is portraying trying to obtain holiness through the flesh as being carnal. It is inaccurate to think that only sin is carnal. All our self-righteousness is carnal, too.

Note 17 at Rom. 8:7: The carnal mind is hostile or opposed to God. The carnal mind hates the things of God (see ref. s, this verse, p. 793). Therefore, no one just naturally pleases God. It is impossible for the natural mind to think in the ways of God (1 Cor. 2:14). As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." We have to deny our natural way of thinking and be led by the Spirit of God to walk pleasing to God.