Human nature, with its carnal mind, stands in direct opposition to God's will, harboring enmity against His law and authority. As described, this inherent hostility means that the carnal mind is not subject to God's law, nor does it desire to be, and indeed cannot be without divine intervention. This resistance stems from a deep-seated desire to dominate, to be the top authority, even aspiring to be like God, an attitude broadcast by satan the devil and absorbed by unchecked human nature. This spirit of rebellion, evident in the refusal to submit to God or any authority, mirrors the essence of satan's own ambition to ascend above all, influencing humanity to reject submission and crave personal sovereignty. This enmity manifests in a profound aversion to submission, whether to God or to others, as human nature recoils at the idea of being under authority. Instead, it seeks to elevate itself, driven by the same deceptive broadcast that fuels the desire for power and control. Yet, God's elect are called to counter this natural inclination through His Spirit, striving to overcome these carnal urges and to embody the humility and submission exemplified by Christ. They are tasked with rejecting the self-centered attitudes absorbed from the world, which stand in stark contrast to God's desire for His children to live in mutual submission and reverential awe of Him. Thus, the battle against enmity toward God involves a deliberate effort to suppress the innate drive for dominance, replacing it with a godly attitude of service and humility. This counter-movement, though challenging, is empowered by God's Spirit, enabling His people to live as His children in an evil world, submitting to one another in the fear of God, and thereby aligning their lives with His will rather than the rebellious spirit that defines human nature.

The estrangement between God and mankind stems from a simple cause: mankind does not believe God, and a large portion will not accept this truth unless specifically called. Mankind, deceived by its carnal nature, so hated the Creator God and Savior that they put Him to a vicious death, failing to recognize Who He truly was. In the crowd at Jesus' crucifixion, those who reacted with hostility saw Him not for His true nature, but as a competitor for the position they thought they held in the people's minds. This carnal mind, born from the womb, is not subject to God's law and cannot be unless God deliberately adjusts the person's mind through His calling, granting understanding and a willingness to submit to His law. Without this divine intervention, mankind remains enslaved by an inborn anti-God and anti-law nature, bypassing the necessary spiritual adjustments that God provides to those He calls into His service.

Mankind's enmity against God is a pervasive and enduring condition rooted in a refusal to submit to His sovereign rule. This separation stems from sin, as humanity consistently leans on its own understanding rather than following God's laws, which are always right. Despite God's merciful appeals for repentance and His promise of forgiveness, people demonstrate a natural bent toward rejecting things associated with Him, often following human counsel over divine guidance. This enmity is evident from the beginning with Adam and Eve, whose sins reflected a lack of loyalty to God's desires, prioritizing their own instead. Their actions set a precedent for mankind's ongoing rebellion, making God an enemy in the eyes of the unconverted. This hostility is fueled by a carnal nature that is fixed on self-satisfaction, a pull so strong that it can overpower even a direct relationship with the Creator, as seen in Adam and Eve's failure despite knowing Him personally. The world, often symbolized as Babylon, is overwhelmed by a humanity that has made itself an enemy of God, a condition that began shortly after the Flood and continues uninterrupted. This rebellion manifests in justifications and lies that reject God's truth, producing constant conflict and worsening conditions. The unconverted lack the love and true knowledge of God necessary to resist sin, setting their minds on fleshly desires rather than His will, rendering them incapable of pleasing Him. Even among those called by God, the battle against this enmity persists due to the deep influence of a carnal mind shaped by the world from an early age. Overcoming this requires a deep, personal relationship with God, growing in love for Him through keeping His commandments, and choosing to do right even at great personal cost. Without God's gifts of faith and love, complete surrender to His rule remains impossible, underscoring the necessity of His grace to transform hearts and align them with His purpose.