O Fools And Slow Of Heart To Believe — Part Six
The Carnal Mind Vs. The Mind Of The Spirit
Why Many Hear the Scriptures Yet Never Come to the Knowledge of the Truth
I. Introduction: The Divine Problem Jesus Confronted
Every teaching of Jesus confronts one fundamental issue:
The natural human mind is incapable of perceiving the things of God.
This is why Jesus repeatedly said:
- “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- “Do you not understand?”
- “How is it that you do not discern this time?”
- “Are you also yet without understanding?”
The battle Jesus faced was never against intelligence, education, culture, or even sin.
The battle was against the carnal mind—a mind shaped by:
- tradition
- religion
- culture
- fear
- externalism
- materialism
- the praise of men
This mind cannot recognize the God within.
This mind crucified the Son of God.
And this mind still blinds humanity today.
II. Defining The Carnal Mind According To Scripture
Paul gives the most direct definition:
Romans 8:7
“The carnal mind is enmity against God… it is not subject to the law of God,neither indeed can be.”
The carnal mind is not evil — it is blind.
- It does not know God.
- It cannot see the Kingdom.
- It cannot hear the Spirit.
Jesus says:
John 3:3
“Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Not enter—first, he cannot even see it.
To see spiritual truth requires a spiritual mind.
III. Religion Is The Carnal Mind’s Substitution For God
Religion is not the cure for a blind mind — religion is the product of a blind mind.
The carnal mind creates:
- traditions
- doctrines of men
- rituals
- ceremonies
- systems requiring human approval
- external symbols of internal truths
This is why Jesus said:
Matthew 15:14
“They are blind leaders of the blind.”
Religion attempts to do externally what only the Spirit can do internally: reveal God to the human soul.
IV. Examples Jesus Gave To Reveal Spiritual Blindness
1. Nicodemus — The Teacher Who Could Not See
Nicodemus, a religious leader, came to Jesus by night.
He recognizes Jesus is “a teacher sent from God,”
yet he cannot understand a single spiritual truth Jesus speaks.
Jesus answers:
John 3:10
“Are you a master of Israel, and do not know these things?”
Nicodemus knew Scripture intellectually,
but he did not know Scripture spiritually.
2. The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
Jesus walked beside them.
He spoke to them.
He opened the Scriptures.
But they did not recognize Him.
Why?
Luke 24:25
“O fools, and slow of heart to believe…”
Their hearts (inner man) were not awakened.
This is why Jesus opened their understanding (Luke 24:45).
You can read Scripture all your life and still not see the Truth within it until the Spirit opens your understanding.
3. The Pharisees Who Memorized Scripture
Jesus says to the most religious men of His time:
John 5:39–40
“You search the Scriptures…
but you will not come to Me that you may have life.”
They used the Scriptures
but could not see the God of the Scriptures.
Religion teaches Scripture;
Jesus reveals God within the Scripture.
V. Why The Carnal Mind Cannot Know God
1. It Seeks God Externally
The carnal mind says:
- Where is God?
- Show me proof.
- Give me a sign.
- Let me see something physical.
But Jesus states:
Luke 17:21
“The Kingdom of God is within you.”
To the carnal mind, this makes no sense.
2. It Trusts Human Reason Over Spiritual Revelation
The carnal mind must understand first before it believes.
The spiritual mind believes first and understanding follows.
This is why Jesus said:
John 7:17
“He that wills to do His will shall know…”
Obedience precedes revelation.
3. It Is Conditioned by the World’s System
Western materialism produces:
- ego
- comparison
- ambition
- consumer spirituality
- success-based religiosity
This mindset cannot comprehend a Kingdom
that is entirely internal and spiritual.
VI. God’s Solution: The Mind Of Christ
The entire purpose of Scripture is summarized by this one transformation:
1 Corinthians 2:16
“We have the mind of Christ.”
The mind of Christ is:
- spiritually awake
- God-conscious
- inwardly illuminated
- driven by the Spirit
- free from religious blindness
- able to discern the Kingdom
- able to love without fear
- able to see God in man
This is why Paul writes:
Romans 12:2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Transformation begins in the mind, but it is completed in the inner man.
VII. How The Mind Is Renewed —The Process Jesus Taught
Renewal is not memorizing Scripture or joining a denomination or adopting doctrines.
True mind renewal requires:
1. Hearing the Word with the Inner Ear
Jesus said:
“Take heed how you hear.”
(Luke 8:18)
There is outer hearing and
there is inner hearing.
2. Seeing with the Eye of the Spirit
Paul prays for:
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”
(Ephesians 1:18)
The Scripture is understood by revelation, not intellect.
3. Meditation in the Word
God tells Joshua:
“Meditate in it day and night…
then you shall prosper.”
(Joshua 1:8)
Meditation moves truth from the mind to the heart.
4. Obedience Opens Revelation
Jesus says:
“He that has My commandments and keeps them…
to him will I manifest Myself.”
(John 14:21)
Obedience unlocks manifestation.
5. The Holy Spirit Teaches from Within
Jesus declares:
“He shall teach you all things.”
(John 14:26)
The Spirit is the true Teacher.
Without Him, Scripture remains closed.
VIII. The End Result: Awakening To The Indwelling God
When the mind is renewed and the heart awakened:
- Fear disappears
- Religion loses its power
- Materialism loses influence
- The Scriptures open
- The Spirit speaks
- The Kingdom is seen
- Union with God is realized
- The believer lives from the inner man
This is how Jesus lived.
This is how the Apostles lived.
This is how every disciple must live.
IX. Summary Of Part VI
- The carnal mind is blind to spiritual truth.
- Religion is the carnal mind’s substitute for God.
- Jesus came to destroy spiritual blindness.
- The Scriptures can be read yet still misunderstood.
- The mind must be renewed to see God within.
- The Spirit reveals what intellect cannot.
- The result is awakening, transformation, and union with God.
X. Closing Declaration
Beloved, hear the words of the Master:
“Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.”
May your mind be renewed, your heart awakened, and your inner man illuminated to know the only True God— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit— dwelling within you.
Amen.