The expression “carnal nature” or “carnal mind” describes those who love Satan more than God (see Moses 5:13). These are they who wilfully rebel against God. People become carnal, sensual, and devilish as they yield to the temptations of the devil (see Moses 6:49). “Carnal mind” sometimes refers to the mortal or temporal mind (see Alma 36:4). Alma describes people “that are in a state of nature” or “in a carnal state” as being “in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness” (Alma 41:11) and thus become “carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature” (Alma 42:10). Mortality does not make man inherently evil or wicked, for even without a body in the premortal life, some of God’s children chose evil rather than good. Thus we see that we are free to choose eternal life or captivity and the devil (see 2 Nephi 2:27). We are to realize that we can emerge from our lost and fallen state as we rely upon our Savior, repent, and come unto Him (see 1 Nephi 10:6; 2 Nephi 25:17). We remain in our fallen state if we continue in our wickedness (Mosiah 16:2), or “carnal nature,” by sinning and rebelling against God (see Mosiah 16:2–5).
Abinadi teaches the people that the wicked who will not repent are not redeemed of the Lord. They are carnal-minded and are subject to the devil—and they remain in a fallen state as an enemy to God. Let us be confirmed in our belief that redemption is in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. To take full advantage of His atoning sacrifice requires that we repent and follow His commandments. There is no other way.