Human Nature Is Not Good

Contrary to popular belief, people are inherently wicked, as Genesis 6:5 tells us.  “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”   God established certain standards of right and wrong, but over the centuries different groups have modified those standards, sometimes almost eliminating them.   Genesis 6:11 describes what happens when people are allowed to freely follow their natural instincts.  “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”    

In recent years, the old taboos and moral standards have been relaxed, with the result the world is again approaching the state described in Genesis 6:11.   Paul warned us that this would happen in II Timothy 3:1-5.  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

As a result of that unrestrained inherent wickedness, people become totally selfish.   Wanting everything for free, boasting about accomplishments of little value, and too proud to admit they are no better than others.  They do not hesitate to slander other people, and have no respect for their parents.  They do not appreciate what they have received. And have little or no moral restraints.  They have no natural love, not hesitating to kill or abort their own babies and indulging in sexual perversions such as homosexuality, adultery, and rape.  They cannot be trusted, and do not hesitate to lie about others.  They exercise no self-control and are cruel to others, hating anything that stands for right, stealing from and destroying even their own friends and relatives.  They consider themselves smarter and more deserving than others, never admitting they are wrong.  They are far more interested in having a good time than in knowing what God wants.  They may be very religious, but they don’t allow it to interfere with their everyday lives, setting their own standards of right and wrong, in effect setting themselves up as God.    

As Paul warns, we need to avoid associating with such people.  II Timothy 3:6-7 warns that they pose a serious threat to weak Christians.  “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  They prey on people’s gullibility and ignorance, scamming them and playing on their lusts to get money, sex, and fame by constantly promising the next book or seminar or level will give them what they want. 

They are just like the magicians in Exodus 7-9, trying to convince Pharaoh and the Egyptians they were as powerful as God, as Paul mentions in II Timothy 3:8-9.  “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”   

Despite their conviction that they can do as they please and do not have to answer to God,  their foolishness will soon be revealed, Just like those magicians. Who were able to fake the miracles for a little while but in Exodus 8:18-19, they were forced to admit they were nto as powerful.   “And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.  Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God…”  For a short time they may seem to have everything their way, but ultimately the truth will be known.   Human nature will never attain God’s power and authority, even when cloaked in psychology and religious traditions.  To think human nature can override God’s plan is to think we are greater than God.   Galatians 6:7-8 warns, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”    We can’t let our human nature control us if we want to please God.