How does spiritual death affect a person's ability to choose God?

According to the biblical teaching, a spiritually dead person is unable to respond to God or even comprehend spiritual truths. Romans 8:7 states, 'the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' This signifies that without the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, a person is bound to their natural state of rebellion against God. Only when God grants spiritual life can an individual respond in faith and repentance. This emphasizes God's sovereign role in salvation, as faith flows from the life that He bestows upon us, rather than from any effort on our part.